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Move on from Blair, Labour urged Move on from Blair, Labour urged
(10 minutes later)
One of the contenders for Labour's deputy leadership has said it is time for the party to move on from Blairism.One of the contenders for Labour's deputy leadership has said it is time for the party to move on from Blairism.
Speaking to BBC One's The Politics Show, Jon Cruddas said the "magic" of Tony Blair's early years had changed into an "extraordinary" resilience.Speaking to BBC One's The Politics Show, Jon Cruddas said the "magic" of Tony Blair's early years had changed into an "extraordinary" resilience.
Mr Cruddas, the candidate from the left of the party, said: "The page has turned, it's time to move on."Mr Cruddas, the candidate from the left of the party, said: "The page has turned, it's time to move on."
But Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell told the BBC the prime minister should be allowed to "get on with the job". Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell told the BBC the prime minister should be allowed to "get on with the job".
The prime minister and the deputy prime minister John Prescott are due to stand down by September this year.The prime minister and the deputy prime minister John Prescott are due to stand down by September this year.
'Refresh itself''Refresh itself'
An aide to Mr Cruddas said the Dagenham MP and former Downing Street adviser felt Labour needs to "refresh itself".An aide to Mr Cruddas said the Dagenham MP and former Downing Street adviser felt Labour needs to "refresh itself".
Mr Cruddas has previously said the party needed to reconnect with the electorate.Mr Cruddas has previously said the party needed to reconnect with the electorate.
"Ten years is an awfully long time to be prime minister of any one country," Mr Cruddas told The Politics Show."Ten years is an awfully long time to be prime minister of any one country," Mr Cruddas told The Politics Show.
I think that we should all suspend judgement until that time comes and not allow this to become a distraction from the business of government and get on with what people elected us to do Tessa JowellI think that we should all suspend judgement until that time comes and not allow this to become a distraction from the business of government and get on with what people elected us to do Tessa Jowell
"That sort of magic of the early years has changed into a sort of resilient durability, which is very impressive, irrespective of whether you agree with it or not."That sort of magic of the early years has changed into a sort of resilient durability, which is very impressive, irrespective of whether you agree with it or not.
"I mean, the stuff he takes is extraordinary.""I mean, the stuff he takes is extraordinary."
His comments come after Mr Blair appealed for party activists to keep faith with the New Labour agenda.His comments come after Mr Blair appealed for party activists to keep faith with the New Labour agenda.
Addressing Labour's national policy forum in London on Saturday, the prime minister said the next general election would be decided by policies rather than current controversies such as the cash-for-honours inquiry.Addressing Labour's national policy forum in London on Saturday, the prime minister said the next general election would be decided by policies rather than current controversies such as the cash-for-honours inquiry.
On BBC One's AM programme, Ms Jowell, a staunch ally of Mr Blair, added: "The important thing is to allow the investigation to proceed.On BBC One's AM programme, Ms Jowell, a staunch ally of Mr Blair, added: "The important thing is to allow the investigation to proceed.
"Everybody who is in any way involved in the operation is co-operating fully and I think that we should all suspend judgement until that time comes and not allow this to become a distraction from the business of government and get on with what people elected us to do.""Everybody who is in any way involved in the operation is co-operating fully and I think that we should all suspend judgement until that time comes and not allow this to become a distraction from the business of government and get on with what people elected us to do."
Hilary Benn, Hazel Blears, Peter Hain, Harriet Harman, Alan Johnson and Jack Straw are the other MPs to officially declare, or indicate, an interest in the deputy leadership post.Hilary Benn, Hazel Blears, Peter Hain, Harriet Harman, Alan Johnson and Jack Straw are the other MPs to officially declare, or indicate, an interest in the deputy leadership post.
'Contest needed''Contest needed'
Tony Benn said a contest for the position of Labour party leader was needed to give party members and the trade unions a chance to vote when Mr Blair finally steps down.Tony Benn said a contest for the position of Labour party leader was needed to give party members and the trade unions a chance to vote when Mr Blair finally steps down.
He also claimed that if leadership contender John McDonnell, MP for Hayes and Harlington, is not nominated, then party members will have been "shut out".He also claimed that if leadership contender John McDonnell, MP for Hayes and Harlington, is not nominated, then party members will have been "shut out".
Mr Benn told GMTV's The Sunday Programme: "If MPs refused to nominate John McDonnell for example... and deny the party a choice, then Gordon Brown will not have been elected and will have no authority.Mr Benn told GMTV's The Sunday Programme: "If MPs refused to nominate John McDonnell for example... and deny the party a choice, then Gordon Brown will not have been elected and will have no authority.
"There must be an election. If it turns out that the Labour Party have a coronation, I mean we might as well have a heredity leader of the Labour Party.""There must be an election. If it turns out that the Labour Party have a coronation, I mean we might as well have a heredity leader of the Labour Party."
The Politics Show is on BBC One at 1200 GMT on Sunday.The Politics Show is on BBC One at 1200 GMT on Sunday.