Menu
08/05/2006
Blair declines to set departure date
Prime Minister Tony Blair has again declined to set a firm timetable for his departure from office, defiantly facing down Labour party backbenchers.
At his monthly press briefing Mr Blair declared that giving a timetable would “paralyse the proper working of government" and doom the party to opposition.
But there are signs that the Labour party is on the way toward a civil war, as Mr Blair clings to power, defiantly facing down his critics calling for his head, in a bid to finish his third full term in office.
However, Mr Blair said that he would stand down in time for a General Election before 2010, in good time for his successor to “bed in.”
The Prime Minister was no doubt mindful that he has to meet with the Parliamentary Labour party, aware that around half of Labour MPs think that Mr Blair should step down within a year. But he warned that any attempt to change the direction of New Labour was the wrong course of action.
Referring to Margaret Thatcher who was removed from office by her own party, Mr Blair said he had no intention of “going on and on.”
Mr Blair faced questioning over the composition of his new Cabinet including the demotion of Jack Straw to Leader of the House but said that he thought Mr Straw was the best man to tackle the reform of the House of Lords. He rubbished suggestions that the move was as a direct result of a difference of opinion on action against Iran.
Following Conservative gains in the local council elections last week, party leader David Cameron said that the Labour Party was in “terminal decline”.
(SP/KMcA)
At his monthly press briefing Mr Blair declared that giving a timetable would “paralyse the proper working of government" and doom the party to opposition.
But there are signs that the Labour party is on the way toward a civil war, as Mr Blair clings to power, defiantly facing down his critics calling for his head, in a bid to finish his third full term in office.
However, Mr Blair said that he would stand down in time for a General Election before 2010, in good time for his successor to “bed in.”
The Prime Minister was no doubt mindful that he has to meet with the Parliamentary Labour party, aware that around half of Labour MPs think that Mr Blair should step down within a year. But he warned that any attempt to change the direction of New Labour was the wrong course of action.
Referring to Margaret Thatcher who was removed from office by her own party, Mr Blair said he had no intention of “going on and on.”
Mr Blair faced questioning over the composition of his new Cabinet including the demotion of Jack Straw to Leader of the House but said that he thought Mr Straw was the best man to tackle the reform of the House of Lords. He rubbished suggestions that the move was as a direct result of a difference of opinion on action against Iran.
Following Conservative gains in the local council elections last week, party leader David Cameron said that the Labour Party was in “terminal decline”.
(SP/KMcA)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
10 May 2007
Blair calls time as Prime Minister
The Prime Minister has announced that he will stand down on June 27. As expected, Tony Blair announced the news to a gathering of party supporters in Sedgefield following a Cabinet briefing this morning. He said ten years was enough and said: "I ask you to accept one thing: hand on heart, I did what I thought was right.
Blair calls time as Prime Minister
The Prime Minister has announced that he will stand down on June 27. As expected, Tony Blair announced the news to a gathering of party supporters in Sedgefield following a Cabinet briefing this morning. He said ten years was enough and said: "I ask you to accept one thing: hand on heart, I did what I thought was right.
07 April 2005
Labour the party of economic stability, says Blair
The Labour Party has begun electioneering in earnest, placing the economy at the heart of its campaign. Prime Minister Tony Blair said the country faced a fundamental choice “about what kind of country we are, what kind of people we are, what kind of future we see for ourselves.
Labour the party of economic stability, says Blair
The Labour Party has begun electioneering in earnest, placing the economy at the heart of its campaign. Prime Minister Tony Blair said the country faced a fundamental choice “about what kind of country we are, what kind of people we are, what kind of future we see for ourselves.
14 September 2015
Jeremy Corby Elected New Labour Party Leader
Jeremy Corbyn has been elected the new leader of the Labour Party with a majority of almost 60%. Mr Crobyn beat Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall, taking 251,417 votes in the first round of voting. In his first act as party leader, Mr Corbyn has been selecting his shadow cabinet, with Tom Watson as Deputy Leader.
Jeremy Corby Elected New Labour Party Leader
Jeremy Corbyn has been elected the new leader of the Labour Party with a majority of almost 60%. Mr Crobyn beat Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall, taking 251,417 votes in the first round of voting. In his first act as party leader, Mr Corbyn has been selecting his shadow cabinet, with Tom Watson as Deputy Leader.
13 July 2006
MPs briefed on Lord Levy arrest
Deputy Assistant Commissioner John Yates has told MPs this morning that the arrest of Lord Levy for questioning is not a "symbolic" gesture. Lord Levy, 61, the Labour Party's chief fundraiser, was arrested by police investigating allegations of "cash for peerages", but he was later released on bail pending further inquiries.
MPs briefed on Lord Levy arrest
Deputy Assistant Commissioner John Yates has told MPs this morning that the arrest of Lord Levy for questioning is not a "symbolic" gesture. Lord Levy, 61, the Labour Party's chief fundraiser, was arrested by police investigating allegations of "cash for peerages", but he was later released on bail pending further inquiries.
11 May 2010
Government Still Hangs In The Balance
The future of the UK's hung parliament is still unsure as the Liberal Democrats continue to hold out for a better deal with either Labour or the Tories.
Government Still Hangs In The Balance
The future of the UK's hung parliament is still unsure as the Liberal Democrats continue to hold out for a better deal with either Labour or the Tories.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
