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Blair urged to go by Labour MPs Blair urged to go by Labour MPs
(30 minutes later)
Seventeen normally loyal Labour MPs have written to Tony Blair urging him to quit as prime minister.Seventeen normally loyal Labour MPs have written to Tony Blair urging him to quit as prime minister.
A second letter from a group of new Labour MPs calling for his immediate departure is also thought to have been drafted but not yet sent.A second letter from a group of new Labour MPs calling for his immediate departure is also thought to have been drafted but not yet sent.
Minister David Miliband earlier tried to silence the exit calls by saying Mr Blair would quit in a year's time.Minister David Miliband earlier tried to silence the exit calls by saying Mr Blair would quit in a year's time.
Downing Street, meanwhile, said 49 Labour MPs had backed a statement of support for Mr Blair. No 10 says 49 Labour MPs have signed a statement saying Mr Miliband has provided the certainty Labour needs.
It comes as Downing Street distanced itself from a leaked memo detailing plans for a farewell tour by Mr Blair celebrating his achievements. The flurry of letters and counter-statements came as Downing Street distanced itself from a leaked memo detailing plans for a farewell tour by Mr Blair celebrating his achievements.
Uncertainty fearsUncertainty fears
Mr Blair last week rejected calls to use this month's Labour Party conference to name a timetable for his departure.Mr Blair last week rejected calls to use this month's Labour Party conference to name a timetable for his departure.
But his words failed to silence calls from many normally loyal Labour backbenchers who have called on him to end uncertainty by naming the date.But his words failed to silence calls from many normally loyal Labour backbenchers who have called on him to end uncertainty by naming the date.
He should be the star who won't even play that last encore Leaked memo from Blair allies Key quotes: 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 Key quotes: leaked memo Analysis: How will Blair go?
A senior Cabinet source told BBC News a letter from a group of 17 Labour MPs, all of whom entered Parliament in 2001, effectively calls on the prime minister to go. A senior Cabinet source confirmed a letter from 17 Labour MPs, all of whom entered Parliament in 2001, calling on Mr Blair to go had been by Downing Street.
The source said the letter was seen by Downing Street for the first time on Monday and was likely to convince Mr Blair he needed to say more about his departure plans. The source said the letter was likely to convince Mr Blair he needed to say more about his departure plans.
It is not yet been decided whether Mr Blair 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" was under way.
'Misconceived''Misconceived'
Blairite MPs Chris Bryant and Sion Simon are understood to have co-ordinated the letter. Blairite MPs Chris Bryant and Sion Simon are understood to have co-ordinated the letter from the 2001 intake.
But Mr Bryant told BBC Wales that if he had sent the prime minister a private letter "then it's a private matter". But Mr Bryant refused to comment on its contents, telling BBC Wales that if he had sent the prime minister a private letter it would be "a private matter".
Albert Owen, a Welsh Labour MP elected in 2001, said he had not been approached about the joint letter but had written personally to Mr Blair over the weekend urging him to go "sooner rather than later".
HAVE YOUR SAY Blair should only step down if an immediate General Election is called Mark, Guildford Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Blair should only step down if an immediate General Election is called Mark, Guildford Send us your comments
Mr Owen told BBC News: "He has made an announcement [about stepping down before the next election] and he's not been able to get on with the job because of the speculation." Albert Owen, a Welsh Labour MP elected in 2001, said he had not been approached about the letter but had written personally to Mr Blair over the weekend urging him to go "sooner rather than later".
Bristol MP Kerry McCarthy, who was elected last year, said she had seen a separate letter drafted by members of the 2005 Labour intake.Bristol MP Kerry McCarthy, who was elected last year, said she had seen a separate letter drafted by members of the 2005 Labour intake.
Ms McCarthy said she had not yet signed the letter but agreed the party's troubles had to be resolved soon, with Mr Blair leaving by the spring.Ms McCarthy said she had not yet signed the letter but agreed the party's troubles had to be resolved soon, with Mr Blair leaving by the spring.
'Wounded''Wounded'
Another member of the 2005 intake, who did not want to be named, said the letter called on Mr Blair to go immediately, although it was only in draft form and may change before being sent. Another member of the 2005 intake, who did not want to be named, said the letter called on Mr Blair to go immediately, although it was only in draft form and might change before being sent.
The MP said politically Mr Blair was a "wounded man" and should step down at this month's party conference to end damaging speculation and "media hype".The MP said politically Mr Blair was a "wounded man" and should step down at this month's party conference to end damaging speculation and "media hype".
Sir Jeremy Beecham, chairman of Labour's national executive committee, said the letters were misconceived.Sir Jeremy Beecham, chairman of Labour's national executive committee, said the letters were misconceived.
Mr Blair was "conscious of what needs to be done," he told the BBC, and would ensure there was new leader in time for next year's conference. Mr Blair was "conscious of what needs to be done" and would ensure a new leader was in place by the time of next year's Labour conference, said Sir Jeremy.
Former Home Secretary Charles Clarke suggested Mr Blair would not be swayed by the MPs' letters - he would focus on doing the best thing. Speaking earlier, Environment Secretary David Miliband said he agreed with the "conventional wisdom" that Mr Blair would stand down in a year's time.
Speaking earlier on Today, Environment Secretary David Miliband said he agreed with the "conventional wisdom" that Mr Blair would stand down in a year's time.
But he said he had not spoken to Mr Blair about the date.But he said he had not spoken to Mr Blair about the date.
Labour MP Karen Buck said she and other MPs expected a leadership contest next summer and thought Mr Blair should stick to that plan. Labour MP Karen Buck helped coordinate the statement signed by 49 MPs welcoming Mr Miliband's "clarification".
Ms Buck urged people not to turn an "orderly transition into a crisis of regicide".Ms Buck urged people not to turn an "orderly transition into a crisis of regicide".
Poll standingsPoll standings
Meanwhile, a leaked memo suggesting a farewell tour to promote the "triumph of Blairism" has been published by the Daily Mirror.Meanwhile, a leaked memo suggesting a farewell tour to promote the "triumph of Blairism" has been published by the Daily Mirror.
The memo, reportedly drawn up by a group of his allies, including his pollster Philip Gould, says: "He needs to go with the crowd wanting more."The memo, reportedly drawn up by a group of his allies, including his pollster Philip Gould, says: "He needs to go with the crowd wanting more."
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 reports come as a Populus poll suggested the 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 the 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.