No 10 downplays Blair exit speculation
Downing Street has downplayed reports Tony Blair will stand down as Labour leader and MP for Sedgefield at the next general election.
The Guardian on Monday claimed the prime minister had already informed his wife Cherie and close political allies of the decision.
The newspaper said Mr Blair wanted to make a “clean break” from politics to concentrate on writing his memoirs and promoting religious understanding across different faiths.
But a Downing Street spokesman said yesterday: “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.”
The 52-year-old – who has twice received medical attention for heart murmurs – led Labour to an historic third term in government in May, becoming the longest continuously serving premier in the party’s history.
Mr Blair has been MP for Sedgefield for the past 22 years.
The premier ruled out serving a fourth term of office back in October
Chancellor of the exchequer, Gordon Brown, is widely tipped to assume the Labour leadership after Mr Blair resigns.
