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PM's groups to set Labour agenda Blair plans Labour policy groups
(about 1 hour later)
Tony Blair is to announce the creation of four working parties to examine Labour policy for the next decade.Tony Blair is to announce the creation of four working parties to examine Labour policy for the next decade.
The prime minister has announced he will step down within the year, and Downing Street said the policy idea had been discussed with Gordon Brown. They will cover foreign policy, public services, economic competitiveness, security and migration.
Critics will say Mr Blair is ensuring his view is "set in stone" before he goes, said the BBC's Robin Brant. Critics will claim Mr Blair, who says he will quit within a year, is seeking to entrench his legacy.
The groups will cover economic competitiveness, public services, security, migration and foreign policy. But a No 10 aide insisted the plan had been discussed with Gordon Brown and said it would show "the government is united and moving forward".
Their findings will shape next year's Comprehensive Spending Review and a series of major announcements up until next summer. The findings are expected to help shape next year's Comprehensive Spending Review - traditionally outlined by Gordon Brown as chancellor - and a series of policy announcements up to next summer.
Future challengesFuture challenges
A Downing Street aide said: "The prime minister and the chancellor both agree that the key to success is a strong, unified agenda.A Downing Street aide said: "The prime minister and the chancellor both agree that the key to success is a strong, unified agenda.
"This is a refreshed process which will be inclusive and provide solutions to the challenges which the UK faces."This is a refreshed process which will be inclusive and provide solutions to the challenges which the UK faces.
"It will show the country that the government is united and moving forward and show the party the range of talented and able ministers who are making decisions at the heart of government.""It will show the country that the government is united and moving forward and show the party the range of talented and able ministers who are making decisions at the heart of government."
BBC political correspondent Robin Brant said Mr Blair is likely to say there are challenges which New Labour has to resolve when he speaks at the Labour party conference next week. Mr Blair is set to take up the theme of the challenges of the next decade in his farewell address to Labour's annual conference next week.
"It's evidence that the transition from the Blair era to the Brown era is under way," he said. He has told colleagues it will address the issues which the party must tackle to secure itself a fourth general election victory.
"But it will be seen by detractors as an attempt by the prime minister to ensure that the Blairite view, on core policy areas, is set in stone before he steps down."