Blair hints at Brown leadership
Tony Blair has hinted he expects Gordon Brown to assume the Labour leadership when he relinquishes power.
In April this year, Mr Blair said his chancellor would make an “excellent’ prime minister.
But in a radio interview yesterday, Mr Blair appeared to talk up the chancellor’s chances of becoming the next prime minister and Labour leader.
Mr Blair said Mr Brown would not detract from delivering key reforms on schools and hospitals if and when he assumed control of the party.
“If what you really mean is do I think that Gordon. or anyone else is going to turn around and reverse those changes. No.”
With Mr Brown in mind, he added: “He is fully behind the change programme, both in health and education.”
“I think it is important to realise these are not policies simply that I have devised, these are policies taken through by the whole government.”
Only time will tell whether the premier meant to reveal his thoughts on his likely successor.
Pundits said the apparent change of heart from Mr Blair signalled the men had reached agreement on the so-called “consumer-orientated changes” in public services.
The prime minister and the chancellor have reportedly been at odds on the question of the private funding of hospitals and schools.
Mr Blair has vowed to serve a full third term but not a fourth.
