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Labour hopes to shrug off turmoil Clarke reignites leadership row
(about 2 hours later)
Labour ministers and MPs have called for calm after days of chaos for Prime Minister Tony Blair. Former Home Secretary Charles Clarke has accused Chancellor Gordon Brown of "absolutely stupid" behaviour during the Blair leadership furore.
Development Secretary Hilary Benn said statements from Mr Blair and Gordon Brown had "cleared the air". Mr Clarke told London's Evening Standard newspaper people were angry at pictures of Mr Brown smiling broadly as he left Downing Street on Wednesday.
He said Mr Brown should have stopped plotting against Mr Blair with "a click of his fingers".
His comments came as ministers and MPs urged for calm after the days of chaos.
Tony Blair crowned 48 hours of furious speculation on Thursday by confirming that he will step down as prime minister within the next 12 months.Tony Blair crowned 48 hours of furious speculation on Thursday by confirming that he will step down as prime minister within the next 12 months.
But he stopped short of giving a precise timetable and pundits are predicting more instability to come.But he stopped short of giving a precise timetable and pundits are predicting more instability to come.
Former New Labour mastermind Peter Mandelson said the party had had "its moment of madness" and now must move on.
Higher education minister Bill Rammell said: "Were we to carry on with disunity and division the two losers would, one, be the Labour Party - because you cannot carry on like that for an indefinite period - but two, would be the people that we represent."
Mr Brown used an article in the Sun to praise Mr Blair's "courageous" leadership.
When I met the prime minister yesterday, I said to him - as I've said on many occasions and I repeat today - it is for him to make the decision Gordon Brown Analysis: Blair's final gamble In full: Blair statement In full: Brown statementWhen I met the prime minister yesterday, I said to him - as I've said on many occasions and I repeat today - it is for him to make the decision Gordon Brown Analysis: Blair's final gamble In full: Blair statement In full: Brown statement
Mr Blair said the Labour conference in two weeks' time would be his last as Labour leader and apologised for Labour's conduct in recent days, admitting it "has not been our finest hour, to be frank". Mr Blair met his chancellor on Wednesday, prompting speculation about a deal about his exit from No 10.
Allies have suggested Mr Blair will announce a timetable early in the New Year and hand over power in May. After the meeting, Mr Brown was photographed smiling as he drove away from Downing Street after a day of open Labour warfare which saw a string of government resignations.
Mr Blair and his supporters will be hoping his statement will end the civil war that has broken out in the past week among Labour MPs over his departure. "A lot of people are very upset and cross about that," Mr Clarke. "It was absolutely stupid: a stupid, stupid thing to do."
Manchester Blackley MP Graham Stringer said he did not think Mr Blair's statement "took us any further forward". The ex-minister said Mr Brown must "prove his fitness" to be prime minister.
Newcastle North MP Doug Henderson, a close ally of Gordon Brown, said the public were still unclear as to exactly what was going on. He said: "Part of the problem is that he lacks confidence. He is nervous. That could all change when the burden of waiting for the job is lifted form his shoulders and I think it probably will. But the problem is, nobody really knows.
"He is not where he should be at the moment. He is talented and brilliant but there are these little incidences like the grin in the car that build up a terrible picture."
Mr Clarke said many in the Labour Party had concerns about a Brown premiership and needed to be reassured.
KEY LABOUR DATES 25-26 Sept: Mr Blair and Mr Brown make speeches at the Labour Party conference in Manchester15 Nov: State opening of Parliament including the Queen's speech outlining the government's agenda2 May 2007: Tenth anniversary of Mr Blair's election as prime minister3 May 2007: Elections for Scottish and Welsh assemblies, and most local authorities in England
Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly immediately hit back, saying Mr Clarke was "just wrong".
She hoped the furore in the Labour Party would now "settle down".
Earlier, key Blair ally and architect of New Labour, Peter Mandelson, said the party had had "its moment of madness" and now must move on.
Mr Brown used an article in the Sun to praise Mr Blair's "courageous" leadership.
The prime minister said the Labour conference in two weeks' time would be his last as Labour leader and apologised for Labour's conduct in recent days, admitting it "has not been our finest hour, to be frank".
Mr Blair's allies have suggested he will announce a timetable early in the New Year and hand over power in May.
But Manchester Blackley MP Graham Stringer said he did not think Mr Blair's statement "took us any further forward".
I think that Labour has had its moment of madness this week and I hope it will now move on Peter Mandelson Political reaction Special report: Blair successionI think that Labour has had its moment of madness this week and I hope it will now move on Peter Mandelson Political reaction Special report: Blair succession
But Mr Blair warned: "It's the public that comes first and it's the country that matters, and we can't treat the public as irrelevant bystanders in a subject as important as who is their prime minister." Mr Blair warned: "It's the public that comes first and it's the country that matters, and we can't treat the public as irrelevant bystanders in a subject as important as who is their prime minister."
Chancellor Gordon Brown continues to maintain it is up to Mr Blair when he should go.
Mr Blair has been under pressure to quit earlier than May in order to get a new leader in place before the elections in England, Scotland and Wales - which are expected to be disastrous for Labour.Mr Blair has been under pressure to quit earlier than May in order to get a new leader in place before the elections in England, Scotland and Wales - which are expected to be disastrous for Labour.
KEY LABOUR DATES 25-26 Sept: Mr Blair and Mr Brown make speeches at the Labour Party conference in Manchester15 Nov: State opening of Parliament including the Queen's speech outlining the government's agenda2 May 2007: Tenth anniversary of Mr Blair's election as prime minister3 May 2007: Elections for Scottish and Welsh assemblies, and most local authorities in England
Mr Brown - the man most likely to succeed Mr Blair - was also thought to be unhappy at the prospect of taking over at the end of a Parliamentary session.
The two men were reported to have had an acrimonious meeting over the issue on Wednesday morning.
It was followed by a day of open warfare between supporters of the chancellor and Mr Blair - and a string of government resignations - over when the prime minister should quit.