TONY BLAIR told the Cabinet officially that he is to step down as Labour leader - and won praise from his likely successor Gordon Brown.

During a 20-minute meeting at Downing Street the Chancellor praised Mr Blair’s record over the past 10 years.
His announcement to Cabinet colleagues today was tinged with sadness and one observer said he was clearly sad to be leaving No 10.

This mood was echoed by the rest of the Cabinet as the Chancellor Gordon Brown told them that his colleague would be remembered with admiration.

Mr Brown said that the Prime Minister had captured the mood of the nation, particularly after the death of Princess Diana and the terrorist atrocities in New York and London.

Mr Brown said the Labour Party and the nation owed of debt of gratitude to Mr Blair for his 10 years at No 10. One of the Cabinet members who heard the official announcement of Mr Blair’s decision to step down was the Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling who said he believed that history would judge Mr Blair as one of the most significant premiers the country has ever had.

“He has made this country a much better place over the last 10 years in terms of the economy, in terms of opportunity and the life of the people.

“Let us not forget that no Labour leader has ever won three UK general elections before. Tony Blair has been the best communicator there has ever been in British politics,” added Mr Darling.

“I think it is difficult to judge leaders initially but I think he will be seen as one of our most significant Prime Ministers. People will remember Iraq and cash for honours. But I think that people’s memories of this will fade with time,” added the Cabinet minister.

Mr Blair left No 10 without commenting to fly to Trimdon Labour Club in his Sedgefield constituency in the North East to make a resignation announcement, where he will be joined by his long-time agent John Burton.
Mr Burton earlier said he expected Mr Blair to continue as an MP for the constituency until the next election unless a big job turned up which forced him to resign.

“Unless something turns up that is massive he will represent the people who elected him until the next election. But he’s not going to go off lecturing around the US. He’d hate that anyway,” said Mr Burton.

There was no comment from Downing Street as Mr Blair sped off the airport but cabinet ministers say that the Chancellor paid a “fulsome tribute” to his colleague.

Mr Blair’s formal announcement today opens the way for the election of a new Labour leader, and Prime Minister, over the next seven weeks, with Mr Brown the likely winner.

Manchester Evening News