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It's hard to let go, admits Blair It's hard to let go, admits Blair
(10 minutes later)
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. Tony Blair admitted leaving No 10 will be difficult as he used his last Labour conference speech as leader to urge the party to unite and win a fourth term.
He told an emotional Labour conference "it is hard to let go. But it is right ... for the country and the party". He told an emotional Labour gathering: "It is hard to let go. But it is right ... for the country and the party".
Winning the next election was the only legacy he had ever wanted, he said.Winning the next election was the only legacy he had ever wanted, he said.
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."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 disappointmentBrown'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.
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's speech came 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. Mr Blair, who received a standing ovation as he arrived on the stage, said: "The truth is you can't go on forever, that's why it is right that this is my last conference as leader...
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."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." "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". "And I want to heal. There has been a lot of talk of lies and truths these past few weeks."
Instead he was said to be planning to focus on what he believes is needed for Labour to win a fourth term in office. Praise for Brown
He is unlikely to offer hints on his retirement date or possible successor As Mr Brown did in his speech, Mr Blair admitted there had been difficulties in their relationship.
'Defying convention' "But I know New Labour would never have happened and three election victories would never have been secured without Gordon Brown," he said.
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 is a remarkable man, a remarkable servant to this country - and that is the truth."
He will focus on the challenges posed by globalisation, migration, international terrorism and law and order. With the Conservatives ahead in the opinion polls, Mr Blair urged people to remember there were three years until the next election.
Mr Brown paid tribute to the PM but admitted they had differed at times "There are no third-term popular governments," he said. "Don't ignore the polls but don't be paralysed by them either."
And he will call for continuing reform of the health service and education. He pressed his party to "get after" David Cameron and he rejected the old claims that he was a "closet Tory" himself.
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." "They say I hate the party and its traditions," he said. "I don't. I love this party. There's only one tradition I hated: losing."
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". 'Terrorism message'
The prime minister will say the core vote of the party is not the heartlands, the inner city or sectional interests, but "the country". Mr Blair used the speech to trumpet the achievements of his government in raising standards in education, health and cutting crime.
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." And he gave a robust defeat of his under-fire foreign policy.
It has been a privilege for me to work with and for the most successful ever Labour leader and Labour prime minister. Gordon Brown href="/1/hi/uk_politics/5376760.stm" class="">Brown sets out vision href="/1/hi/uk_politics/5378312.stm" class="">Chancellor's speech in full href="/1/hi/uk/5380300.stm" class="">Papers mull Brown speech He warned that the terrorism threat facing the UK would last for "a generation and more".
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. "This terrorism is not our fault, we didn't cause it," he said. "It's not the consequence of foreign policy, it's an attack on our way of life."
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 prime minister promised to dedicate himself from now until he stepped down to advancing peace between Israel and Palestine.
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. "I may not succeed, but I will try because peace in the Middle East is a defeat for terrorism."
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 offered his party advice for the next election from his "hot seat".
Labour had to meet the challenge of global changes, reconciling openness with security.
"The danger in all this, for us, is not ditching New Labour," he said. "The danger is failing to understand that New Labour in 2007 won't be New Labour in 1997."
He stressed the need for continued reforms to ensure public services kept up with people's rising expectations.
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.