PM’s party agent says Blair plans to step down
The prime minister’s party agent has added to the speculation that Tony Blair will step down as an MP at the next general election.
His intervention came on the same day as Downing Street said Mr Blair had no intention of doing so, following reports in The Guardian on Monday that he had already informed his family and close political allies of his plans.
Mr Blair was said to want to make a “clean break” from politics to allow him to write his memoirs and pursue his Christian beliefs.
Responding to the rumours, a Downing Street spokesman said: “If the prime minister was to make any announcement, it would be something he would discuss with his family and his constituents.
“He hasn’t had any of those discussions with his family or his constituents and it is not an issue he has turned his mind to.”
But John Burton, a close political ally and friend of Mr Blair, said the MP for Sedgefield had spoken to him about the issue and “as far as I know he is not going to stand”.
In October, Mr Blair said he would serve a full third term as Labour leader but not a fourth.
Mr Burton told The Northern Echo: “Tony’s said he is packing in as leader and he’s not going to stay on the backbenches – so I can’t see him standing at the next election.”
Commenting on the article, a No 10 spokesperson insisted: “This issue is the last thing on the prime minister’s mind. He is totally focused on the threat currently facing this country.”
