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Blair delivers his Labour finale It's hard to let go, admits Blair
(20 minutes later)
Tony Blair is using his final speech as prime minister to Labour's annual conference with a plea for the party to focus on a fourth election victory. Tony Blair has admitted "it's hard to let go" as he used his last conference speech as leader to urge the party to unite and win a fourth term.
He will ask delegates to concentrate on policy and avoid internal squabbling. He told an emotional Labour conference "it is hard to let go. But it is right ... for the country and the party".
He received a standing ovation as he arrived on the stage at the start of what is clearly an emotional occasion. Winning the next election was the only legacy he had ever wanted, he said.
And he laughed off his wife's alleged criticism of Gordon Brown, saying: "At least I don't have to worry about her running off with the bloke next door." He praised Gordon Brown and laughed off his wife's alleged criticism: "At least I don't have to worry about her running off with the bloke next door."
Brown's disappointment
Mr Brown offered an olive branch to Mr Blair in his conference speech on Monday when he said it had been a privilege to serve under his premiership.Mr Brown offered an olive branch to Mr Blair in his conference speech on Monday when he said it had been a privilege to serve under his premiership.
But that carefully-crafted attempt at reconciliation was marred by reports that Cherie Blair had called the comment a lie - something she has denied.But that carefully-crafted attempt at reconciliation was marred by reports that Cherie Blair had called the comment a lie - something she has denied.
Mr Blair's speech comes after ex-minister Peter Mandelson said Gordon Brown had never reconciled himself to Mr Blair being leader instead of him.
Mr Mandelson admitted there had been a "fissure" in New Labour from the start because Mr Brown had lost something he wanted very much.
But he said he thought the chancellor now believed Mr Blair had been a success and the prime minister in turn believed Mr Brown could take the New Labour project forward.
LABOUR WEEK AHEAD TUESDAY: Blair's keynote speech. Also taking to the platform are Margaret Beckett and Ruth KellyWEDNESDAY: Alan Johnson, David Miliband, Patricia Hewitt all take to the platform and Bill Clinton is the guest speakerTHURSDAY: John Reid, Peter Hain and John Prescott all take to the stage Conference: At-a-glanceLABOUR WEEK AHEAD TUESDAY: Blair's keynote speech. Also taking to the platform are Margaret Beckett and Ruth KellyWEDNESDAY: Alan Johnson, David Miliband, Patricia Hewitt all take to the platform and Bill Clinton is the guest speakerTHURSDAY: John Reid, Peter Hain and John Prescott all take to the stage Conference: At-a-glance
Mr Blair's speech comes after ex-minister Peter Mandelson said Gordon Brown had never reconciled himself to Mr Blair being leader instead of him.
Mr Blair received a standing ovation as he arrived on the stage.
He said: "The truth is you can't go on forever, that's why it is right that this is my last conference as leader...
"Over the coming months, I will take through the changes I have worked on so hard these past years.
"And I will help build a unified party with a strong platform for the only legacy that has ever mattered to me - a fourth term election victory that allows us to keep changing Britain for the better."
Mr Blair, whose speech was preceded by a video of 50 good things done by Labour, was said by advisers not to be planning a "big farewell".Mr Blair, whose speech was preceded by a video of 50 good things done by Labour, was said by advisers not to be planning a "big farewell".
Instead he was said to be planning to focus on what he believes is needed for Labour to win a fourth term in office.Instead he was said to be planning to focus on what he believes is needed for Labour to win a fourth term in office.
He is unlikely to offer hints on his retirement date or possible successorHe is unlikely to offer hints on his retirement date or possible successor
'Defying convention''Defying convention'
Mr Blair is expected to tell delegates that the overwhelming task facing the party is to renew itself in power and develop a new manifesto for continuing New Labour reform for the decade ahead.Mr Blair is expected to tell delegates that the overwhelming task facing the party is to renew itself in power and develop a new manifesto for continuing New Labour reform for the decade ahead.
He will focus on the challenges posed by globalisation, migration, international terrorism and law and order.He will focus on the challenges posed by globalisation, migration, international terrorism and law and order.
Mr Brown paid tribute to the PM but admitted they had differed at timesMr Brown paid tribute to the PM but admitted they had differed at times
And he will call for continuing reform of the health service and education.And he will call for continuing reform of the health service and education.
Mr Blair is due to tell the conference: "We defied conventional political wisdom and so changed it - aspiration and compassion reconciled, economic efficiency and social justice seen not as sworn enemies but natural friends and partners in progress. This defined New Labour."Mr Blair is due to tell the conference: "We defied conventional political wisdom and so changed it - aspiration and compassion reconciled, economic efficiency and social justice seen not as sworn enemies but natural friends and partners in progress. This defined New Labour."
He will go on to argue that the party now needs to "have the courage to be fearless in pursuit of the right answers - listening and learning beyond our party ranks in order to lead".He will go on to argue that the party now needs to "have the courage to be fearless in pursuit of the right answers - listening and learning beyond our party ranks in order to lead".
The prime minister will say the core vote of the party is not the heartlands, the inner city or sectional interests, but "the country".The prime minister will say the core vote of the party is not the heartlands, the inner city or sectional interests, but "the country".
He will say the challenges of the next decade will demand more not less New Labour, adding: "The scale of the challenges in 2007 dwarf what we faced in 1997 - they are different, deeper and bigger."He will say the challenges of the next decade will demand more not less New Labour, adding: "The scale of the challenges in 2007 dwarf what we faced in 1997 - they are different, deeper and bigger."
It has been a privilege for me to work with and for the most successful ever Labour leader and Labour prime minister. Gordon Brown Brown sets out vision Chancellor's speech in full Papers mull Brown speechIt has been a privilege for me to work with and for the most successful ever Labour leader and Labour prime minister. Gordon Brown Brown sets out vision Chancellor's speech in full Papers mull Brown speech
Mr Blair is also expected to warn that, after virtually a decade in power, the Labour government's big task will be to refresh its appeal to voters.Mr Blair is also expected to warn that, after virtually a decade in power, the Labour government's big task will be to refresh its appeal to voters.
What is needed is to go back to the fundamental issues facing the country and the world and to come up with coherent, sensibly worked out answers that will chime with the public, he will say.What is needed is to go back to the fundamental issues facing the country and the world and to come up with coherent, sensibly worked out answers that will chime with the public, he will say.
The "route map" to success should be based on what he will claim are the four cornerstones of New Labour - making voters' needs and wishes its own, combining compassion and aspiration, having the courage to take the tough decisions and never confusing ends with means.The "route map" to success should be based on what he will claim are the four cornerstones of New Labour - making voters' needs and wishes its own, combining compassion and aspiration, having the courage to take the tough decisions and never confusing ends with means.
Mr Blair faced protests during his TUC conference speech a fortnight ago, but he is expected to be given a hero's send off by Labour delegates.Mr Blair faced protests during his TUC conference speech a fortnight ago, but he is expected to be given a hero's send off by Labour delegates.
You can watch Tony Blair's speech live and on demand on the BBC News website.You can watch Tony Blair's speech live and on demand on the BBC News website.