Blair would stand for full third term
Tony Blair has confirmed that if elected he would serve out a full third term as Prime Minister.
However, he indicated that he has no desire to serve a fourth term.
The announcement came as it has been confirmed that the Prime Minister will receive further hospital treatment for a heart problem on Friday.
Tony Blair was admitted to hospital in October 2003 with heart palpitations and diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia, or SVT, often described as an electrical short-circuiting of the heart.
Mr Blair spent five hours at London’s Hammersmith Hospital, where doctors gave him cardioversion, an electric shock, to correct the abnormal heartbeat.
On Friday, the 51-year-old will receive non-surgical treatment under local anaesthetic.
Despite the set back, Mr Blair is expected back at work on Monday.
The announcement came in an interview with the BBC’s chief political correspondent Andrew Marr, in which he also talked about the details of his heart condition.
Mr Blair said: “I think I can still make a real contribution to this country.”
“If I am re-elected I would serve a full third term,” he said.
“If you put yourself forward, you put yourself forward for a full term.
“The reason I want to stay on is to see the job through”.
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott takes charge of the Government in Mr Blair’s absence.
