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13/05/2003
Short calls on Blair to stand down
The former International Development secretary Clare Short has called on Prime Minister Tony Blair to stand down as she launched another broadside against Number 10.
In an interview with two national newspapers, Ms Short suggested that Tony Blair should step aside before the next election and pave the way for "an elegant succession" - presumably for Chancellor Gordon Brown.
Most damningly, she accuses the prime minister of being ruled by vanity and egotism, saying that Mr Blair is "in danger of destroying his legacy as he becomes increasingly obsessed with his place in history".
Ms Short is viewed as a political free thinker and rarely on-message in terms of loyalty to Tony Blair, but her comments will be interpreted as a pitch for Gordon Brown's premiership.
But while Ms Short may enjoy the comparison, her Commons speech on Monday was no Geoffrey Howe moment. The legacy of her non-decision to quit over the start of hostilies in Iraq has dented her standing among traditionalist Labour MPs. No longer the talismanic figure for the left in the Cabinet, Ms Short will join the backbench awkward squad of former frontbench colleagues likes Frank Dobson, Chris Smith and Frank Field.
The past 48 hours has also seen tensions rise between Mr Blair and Mr Brown - most clearly visible through the changing shape of the Cabinet.
The Chancellor is understood to be frustrated that Mr Blair seems to be distancing himself from a pre-1997 landslide deal in which Mr Blair pledged to pass on the premiership to him. Clare Short's headline-grabbing attack on Blair appears to be a further manifestation of that.
But while Short's attack on 'president' Blair may have been "devastating" according to one MP, it will not prove decisive. Mr Blair's pressing for public service reform, the single currency issue and the Home Secretary's weekly introduction of tougher criminal and terror legislation will be the ultimate challenges to his premiership. And with a Labour majority of 165, Tony Blair appears confident of the way ahead.
(GMcG)
In an interview with two national newspapers, Ms Short suggested that Tony Blair should step aside before the next election and pave the way for "an elegant succession" - presumably for Chancellor Gordon Brown.
Most damningly, she accuses the prime minister of being ruled by vanity and egotism, saying that Mr Blair is "in danger of destroying his legacy as he becomes increasingly obsessed with his place in history".
Ms Short is viewed as a political free thinker and rarely on-message in terms of loyalty to Tony Blair, but her comments will be interpreted as a pitch for Gordon Brown's premiership.
But while Ms Short may enjoy the comparison, her Commons speech on Monday was no Geoffrey Howe moment. The legacy of her non-decision to quit over the start of hostilies in Iraq has dented her standing among traditionalist Labour MPs. No longer the talismanic figure for the left in the Cabinet, Ms Short will join the backbench awkward squad of former frontbench colleagues likes Frank Dobson, Chris Smith and Frank Field.
The past 48 hours has also seen tensions rise between Mr Blair and Mr Brown - most clearly visible through the changing shape of the Cabinet.
The Chancellor is understood to be frustrated that Mr Blair seems to be distancing himself from a pre-1997 landslide deal in which Mr Blair pledged to pass on the premiership to him. Clare Short's headline-grabbing attack on Blair appears to be a further manifestation of that.
But while Short's attack on 'president' Blair may have been "devastating" according to one MP, it will not prove decisive. Mr Blair's pressing for public service reform, the single currency issue and the Home Secretary's weekly introduction of tougher criminal and terror legislation will be the ultimate challenges to his premiership. And with a Labour majority of 165, Tony Blair appears confident of the way ahead.
(GMcG)
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12 May 2003
Short resigns claiming Blair broke pledges
After weeks of speculation over her future, Clare Short has finally resigned her Cabinet post as International Development Secretary.
Short resigns claiming Blair broke pledges
After weeks of speculation over her future, Clare Short has finally resigned her Cabinet post as International Development Secretary.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
