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Blair urged to go by Labour MPs Blair urged to go by Labour MPs
(11 minutes later)
A group of normally loyal Labour MPs have written to Tony Blair urging him to quit as prime minister, the BBC understands.A group of normally loyal Labour MPs have written to Tony Blair urging him to quit as prime minister, the BBC understands.
Seventeen MPs, principally elected in 2001, are understood to have made the call. It adds to the pressure on Mr Blair to set out a departure date. Seventeen MPs, mostly elected in 2001, are understood to have made the call. It adds to the pressure on Mr Blair to set out a departure date.
The news prompted Cabinet minister David Miliband to say he expected Mr Blair to quit in a year's time.The news prompted Cabinet minister David Miliband to say he expected Mr Blair to quit in a year's time.
It follows a leaked memo detailing a farewell tour for Mr Blair.It follows a leaked memo detailing a farewell tour for Mr Blair.
Mr Miliband's intervention is the first time a senior minister has given a definite timescale.Mr Miliband's intervention is the first time a senior minister has given a definite timescale.
But Mr Miliband stressed he did not have the planned timings from Mr Blair's own mouth - just that he agreed with the "conventional wisdom" that it would be 12 months.But Mr Miliband stressed he did not have the planned timings from Mr Blair's own mouth - just that he agreed with the "conventional wisdom" that it would be 12 months.
Uncertainty fearsUncertainty fears
The prime minister has said he will step down before the next election but is refusing to give more details about his plans at this month's Labour conference in Manchester.The prime minister has said he will step down before the next election but is refusing to give more details about his plans at this month's Labour conference in Manchester.
Now Labour MPs have acted to try to force Mr Blair's hands.Now Labour MPs have acted to try to force Mr Blair's hands.
The BBC has not seen the contents of the correspondence sent to No 10 by members of the 2001 intake of MPs.The BBC has not seen the contents of the correspondence sent to No 10 by members of the 2001 intake of MPs.
He should be the star who won't even play that last encore Leaked memo from Blair allies In full: leaked memo Analysis: How will Blair go?He should be the star who won't even play that last encore Leaked memo from Blair allies In full: leaked memo Analysis: How will Blair go?
But a senior Cabinet source told BBC political editor Nick Robinson that it effectively calls on the prime minister to go.But a senior Cabinet source told BBC political editor Nick Robinson that it effectively calls on the prime minister to go.
The source said the letter was seen for the first time on Monday and is likely to convince Mr Blair of the need to say something more about plans for his departure.The source said the letter was seen for the first time on Monday and is likely to convince Mr Blair of the need to say something more about plans for his departure.
It is not yet been decided whether he will spell out that this is his final year in office, said the source.It is not yet been decided whether he will spell out that this is his final year in office, said the source.
Alternatively he could start a process of working with Chancellor Gordon Brown to make clear that a "stable and orderly transition" is under way.Alternatively he could start a process of working with Chancellor Gordon Brown to make clear that a "stable and orderly transition" is under way.
The letter is thought to have been co-ordinated by Blairite MPs Chris Bryant and Sion Simon but the pair have not been willing to speak about it on the record. The letter is understood to have been co-ordinated by Blairite MPs Chris Bryant and Sion Simon but the pair have not been willing to speak about it on the record.
Mr Bryant told BBC Wales that if he had sent the prime minister a private letter "then it's a private matter".Mr Bryant told BBC Wales that if he had sent the prime minister a private letter "then it's a private matter".
Several 2001 intake Labour MPs have told the BBC they have not seen the letter and one, Wolverhampton South West MP Chris Marris, said he did not think it existed. Several 2001 intake Labour MPs have told the BBC they have not seen the letter and one, Wolverhampton South West MP Rob Marris, said he did not think it existed.
A year to go?A year to go?
MPs elected only last year are also understood to have drafted a separate letter which praises Mr Blair's achievements but says it is time for him to go.MPs elected only last year are also understood to have drafted a separate letter which praises Mr Blair's achievements but says it is time for him to go.
Mr Blair's critics will also seize on a leaked memo obtained by the Daily Mirror newspaper.Mr Blair's critics will also seize on a leaked memo obtained by the Daily Mirror newspaper.
The memo, reportedly drawn up by a group of his allies, including his pollster Philip Gould, says the prime minister's departure should promote the "triumph of Blairism".The memo, reportedly drawn up by a group of his allies, including his pollster Philip Gould, says the prime minister's departure should promote the "triumph of Blairism".
"He needs to go with the crowd wanting more," the memo reportedly says."He needs to go with the crowd wanting more," the memo reportedly says.
"He should be the star who won't even play that last encore.""He should be the star who won't even play that last encore."
'Substance, not image''Substance, not image'
It says Mr Blair has plans to appear on Blue Peter, Songs of Praise and Chris Evans's radio show in the lead-up to his retirement.It says Mr Blair has plans to appear on Blue Peter, Songs of Praise and Chris Evans's radio show in the lead-up to his retirement.
Downing Street says neither Mr Blair nor any senior No 10 staff have seen the memo.Downing Street says neither Mr Blair nor any senior No 10 staff have seen the memo.
The prime minister's official spokesman said Mr Blair was interested in addressing the issues and knew that people would make up their own minds about what the government has achieved.The prime minister's official spokesman said Mr Blair was interested in addressing the issues and knew that people would make up their own minds about what the government has achieved.
The spokesman added: "He's interested in substance not image."The spokesman added: "He's interested in substance not image."
Mr Blair laughed off talk about his leadership as he began a speech in York about social exclusion.Mr Blair laughed off talk about his leadership as he began a speech in York about social exclusion.
He joked about how he had visited healthcare workers who were having a meeting entitled "what leadership challenges remain for me".He joked about how he had visited healthcare workers who were having a meeting entitled "what leadership challenges remain for me".
Conservative policy director Oliver Letwin said the government was now "near paralysis".
Senior Lib Dem MP Norman Lamb said Mr Blair's "dithering" meant the public could not be sure the government was concentrating on policies rather than politics.
The reports come as a Populus poll suggested David Cameron's Conservatives would have a strong lead over Labour whether Mr Blair stayed on, or was replaced by Gordon Brown or John Reid.The reports come as a Populus poll suggested David Cameron's Conservatives would have a strong lead over Labour whether Mr Blair stayed on, or was replaced by Gordon Brown or John Reid.
The poll of 1,504 people also suggested 30% of Labour voters and 51% of the general public wanted Mr Blair to step down this year.The poll of 1,504 people also suggested 30% of Labour voters and 51% of the general public wanted Mr Blair to step down this year.