Blair up for third term
Prime minister Tony Blair says he will lead Labour into the next general election but remained quiet on whether he would serve a full third term of office.
In an interview in today’s News of the World, Mr Blair dismissed “bizarre” suggestions that he planned to stand down when his wife, Cherie, turned 50 this autumn.
The news will be a bitter blow to supporters of chancellor Gordon Brown, who is believed to have been promised the top job at some point by Mr Blair back in 1997.
“If they think the choice is ever going to be an old-style Labour Party winning an election, that is not going to happen.
“Whatever the problems and pressures, this is an immensely enjoyable and fulfilling job and I intend to carry on doing it. I will be putting myself forward,” Mr Blair said.
Mr Blair admitted to being badly bruised by the backbench rebellion on tuition fees and the Dr David Kelly scandal, but said even with “lumps” lopped off he still wanted the job.
“The times are tougher but I am a tougher person than I was six or seven years ago. You have people kicking lumps out of you, but you can live with it, and I do,” he said.
Mr Blair said he was in good health despite suffering a recent heart scare.
“You have got to take that long view and realise that you have got your health, you’ve got your family, you’re the leader of a fantastic country at a crucial moment in history – so what are you complaining about?”
Mr Blair is expected to call the general election in the first half of 2005.
