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PM urges party to stay New Labour PM urges party to stay New Labour
(about 4 hours later)
The prime minister has urged the Labour Party not to abandon New Labour's agenda in what is expected to be his final new year message in office. The prime minister has urged the Labour Party not to abandon New Labour's agenda, in what is expected to be his final new year message in office.
Tony Blair did not refer to plans to step down; instead he said New Labour's "ambition and compassion" could bring it a fourth general election victory. Tony Blair did not refer to plans to step down, but said New Labour's "ambition and compassion" could bring it a fourth general election victory.
Despite facing its most difficult time in government, the party was dominating the battle of ideas, he said.Despite facing its most difficult time in government, the party was dominating the battle of ideas, he said.
He also said Britain must "see through" the struggle in Iraq and Afghanistan.He also said Britain must "see through" the struggle in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The message was delivered while Mr Blair, who has said he will stand down in September this year, was on a winter break in Miami with his family.The message was delivered while Mr Blair, who has said he will stand down in September this year, was on a winter break in Miami with his family.
Working together we have seen real progress Tony Blair The PM's message in fullWorking together we have seen real progress Tony Blair The PM's message in full
In the message, he spoke of a continuing threat from global terrorism which made it "so important that we see through the battles".In the message, he spoke of a continuing threat from global terrorism which made it "so important that we see through the battles".
He also made a personal pledge to work towards restarting the peace process in the Middle East.He also made a personal pledge to work towards restarting the peace process in the Middle East.
Mr Blair called on his party to be "restless, not complacent" in its search for ways to improve life in Britain.Mr Blair called on his party to be "restless, not complacent" in its search for ways to improve life in Britain.
"The Labour Party should take heart," he said. "It is dominating the battle of ideas."The Labour Party should take heart," he said. "It is dominating the battle of ideas.
"It will continue to do so provided it continues to be New Labour."It will continue to do so provided it continues to be New Labour.
"Ambition and compassion: the combination of those instincts remain the basis of New Labour's three successive victories. They remain the basis of a fourth.""Ambition and compassion: the combination of those instincts remain the basis of New Labour's three successive victories. They remain the basis of a fourth."
He listed plans that needed to be taken forward including reform in the NHS, in state education, of the pensions system and the energy supply network.He listed plans that needed to be taken forward including reform in the NHS, in state education, of the pensions system and the energy supply network.
Mr Blair cannot be living on the same planet as the rest of us Tory spokesman Chris GraylingMr Blair cannot be living on the same planet as the rest of us Tory spokesman Chris Grayling
He said the economy needed to be even more dynamic in the face of the rising challenge from China and India.He said the economy needed to be even more dynamic in the face of the rising challenge from China and India.
Looking back at nearly 10 years as prime minister, Mr Blair said "real progress" had been made to address low investment and poor standards in public services, tackling crime, maintaining economic stability, reducing inequality and restoring national pride and confidence.Looking back at nearly 10 years as prime minister, Mr Blair said "real progress" had been made to address low investment and poor standards in public services, tackling crime, maintaining economic stability, reducing inequality and restoring national pride and confidence.
However, Conservative spokesman Chris Grayling said Britain was not getting the things that Tony Blair and Gordon Brown had promised.However, Conservative spokesman Chris Grayling said Britain was not getting the things that Tony Blair and Gordon Brown had promised.
"Mr Blair cannot be living on the same planet as the rest of us," he said."Mr Blair cannot be living on the same planet as the rest of us," he said.
"We are seeing hospital services cut around the country, rising violent crime, and the government is missing its own targets on education. Yet we are all paying vast amounts of extra money in tax.""We are seeing hospital services cut around the country, rising violent crime, and the government is missing its own targets on education. Yet we are all paying vast amounts of extra money in tax."