Blair departure debate continues

The debate over when Tony Blair will step down as Prime Minister is continuing, in spite of his announcement on Thursday that he would leave Downing Street within a year.

On Thursday, Mr Blair confirmed that this year's Labour conference would be his last as leader of the party, but he did not set a definite date for his departure from Downing Street.

The move followed the resignation of eight Labour MPs, including junior defence minister Tom Watson, from their government posts earlier this week, over Mr Blair's refusal to name a date.

There had been reports of acrimonious exchanges between Mr Blair and Chancellor Gordon Brown, who is widely seen as being Mr Blair's natural successor in Downing Street.

Speaking before Mr Blair's announcement on Thursday, Mr Brown said that it was the Prime Minister's decision as to when he would resign from the post.

He also used an article in Friday's edition of 'The Sun' newspaper to praise Mr Blair's "courageous" leadership.

However, former Home Secretary Charles Clarke criticised the Chancellor for his "stupid" behaviour during the row.

In an interview with London's 'Evening Standard', Mr Clarke criticised Mr Brown for smiling as he left Downing Street following a meeting with Mr Blair. He told the Evening Standard that it was a "stupid thing to do".

He also told the paper that many people in the Labour had concerns about Mr Brown becoming Prime Minister and said that he "lacks confidence" .

However, International Development Secretary Hilary Benn said that the Prime Minister and the Chancellor had "cleared the air" over the leadership row, while Peter Mandelson said that the party had had its "moment of madness" and should move on.

However, some Labour MPs have expressed concerns that Mr Blair's statement does not resolve the issue. Manchester Blackley MP Graham Stringer told Sky News that the statement "doesn't take us any further". He said: "I don't believe by leaving the date up in the air it is going to stop the kind of debate and discussion that's been going on."

Conservative leader David Cameron also criticised the leadership crisis, describing it as "shambolic and deeply unsatisfactory". Returning home after a visit to India, the Tory leader said: "What's happened isn't going to end the uncertainty. I think it will probably only add to the paralysis. And frankly Britain deserves better than this."

(KMcA)