Tony Blair abandoned his election promise to serve a full third term last night, indicating that he could stand down next summer. Although he refused to set a timetable for his departure, saying that it would paralyse government, he anointed Gordon Brown as his successor and promised to give him sufficient time to establish himself before the next election. As the Labour Party stood on the brink of civil war over the timing of the succession, the Prime Minister acknowledged that he could not go on to the end of his third term, which could last until 2009 or even 2010. He appealed to the party to calm down and trust him to "honour" his commitment to ensure a stable and orderly transition, "with the time plainly needed for my successor to establish himself". At a packed meeting of Labour MPs at Westminster, Mr Blair spoke of allowing his successor "ample" time, saying that he wanted his legacy to be a "fourth term for Labour". One of the MPs present said he expected Mr Blair to hand over to Mr Brown at the party conference in the autumn of 2007, giving the new leader 18 months to prepare for the next election. Although some MPs were critical of Mr Blair, party officials said the majority had been reassured by his promise to allow "plenty of time" for his successor.
Although he refused to set a timetable for his departure, saying that it would paralyse government, he anointed Gordon Brown as his successor and promised to give him sufficient time to establish himself before the next election.
As the Labour Party stood on the brink of civil war over the timing of the succession, the Prime Minister acknowledged that he could not go on to the end of his third term, which could last until 2009 or even 2010. He appealed to the party to calm down and trust him to "honour" his commitment to ensure a stable and orderly transition, "with the time plainly needed for my successor to establish himself".
At a packed meeting of Labour MPs at Westminster, Mr Blair spoke of allowing his successor "ample" time, saying that he wanted his legacy to be a "fourth term for Labour".
One of the MPs present said he expected Mr Blair to hand over to Mr Brown at the party conference in the autumn of 2007, giving the new leader 18 months to prepare for the next election. Although some MPs were critical of Mr Blair, party officials said the majority had been reassured by his promise to allow "plenty of time" for his successor.
This is Clinton-esque, ample has now become the "is". It depends on what the meaning is.
Given that Blair, via John Reid, has made plain his view that Brown is Old Labour, it is obvious that Blair will hang on and on waiting like Rapunzel for somebody else to let his hair down for. And if the tower rots around him, then so be it.
David Cameron must be beside himself with glee. keep to the Fen Causeway
