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Blair to quit within a year

Hasan Suroor

British Premier Tony Blair in London on Thursday.

LONDON: After days of speculation about his political future, British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Thursday confirmed that he would quit within 12 months but refused to set a date saying he did not think it would be "right'' to do so at this stage.

In a much-awaited statement, Mr. Blair said the Labour Party's annual conference in Manchester later this month would be his "last'' as leader.

These were by far the most explicit remarks he had made in public so far about when he planned to leave. But Mr. Blair made clear that he would not give in to the pressure to set a firm time-table for his exit now. He would do it at a time of his own choosing, he declared with a touch of impatience.

"I am not going to set a precise date. I don't think that's right,'' he said angrily adding that he would do it at a "future date'' taking into account the best interests of the party and the "circumstances'' at the time.

Mr. Blair was forced to declare his hand after eight junior members of his Government — one Minister and seven parliamentary aides — resigned on Wednesday amid a growing revolt against his leadership ahead of the party conference.

The statement, which marked a temporary truce in the war of the words between the Blair and anti-Blair camps, was understood to have the backing of his arch rival Gordon Brown, Chancellor of the Exchequer, who is most likely to succeed him.

Shortly before Mr. Blair made the statement during a visit to a school in north London, Mr. Brown gave sufficient indication that he had arrived at a broad understanding with the Prime Minister on the issue. In unusually conciliatory remarks, he said it was for Mr. Blair to "make the decision'' as to when he planned to leave.

"I will support him in the decision he makes," Mr. Brown said.

Mr. Blair's statement was generally received well but there was disappointment in the Brown camp that the Prime Minister had not gone far enough to meet their concerns.

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