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This story is from February 5, 2006
'Blair to hand over power to Brown next summer'
British PM Tony Blair's closest advisers are working on a timetable that will see him hand over power to Chancellor Gordon Brown next summer.
LONDON: British Prime Minister Tony Blair's closest advisers are working on a timetable that will see him hand over power to Chancellor Gordon Brown next summer, a media report claimed on Sunday.
Senior ministers expect Blair to step down a few months after he completes 10 years in office, in May 2007. Such a move would provide the Chancellor, the overwhelming favourite to succeed Blair, with at least 18 months in power ahead of an expected general election in 2009, according to 'The Sunday Telegraph'.
However, it would mean Blair reneging on a promise to voters, made before the last elections, to serve a "full term." "Tony will go in about 18 months," one of Blair's closest and most trusted political advisers told the newspaper.
Blair faces many pitfalls between now and then, however, notably over the battle to get his controversial package of school reforms into law in the face of opposition from rebel Labour MPs.
Sources close to Brown accepted that a timetable of 18 months was possible, although they scotched claims of a new "deal" between the two leaders.
Those closest to Blair say a departure date in the late summer of 2007 will allow him to claim a significant legacy of reform as long as his Schools Bill passes successfully into law.
A major review of the National Health Service (NHS) is planned for next summer and that period will also include the Comprehensive Spending Review, when Blair and Brown will present Labour's spending plans for the following decade.
Quoting sources close to the Prime Minister, the report said Blair wants part of his legacy to be Iraq's fledgling democracy. Thousands of British troops are planned to have been withdrawn by next summer.
In the coming weeks, Blair will attempt to reassert his authority with a Government reshuffle, which could include the sacking of Hilary Armstrong, the chief whip who was blamed for last week's Commons defeat of the Government over its Religious Hatred Bill.
Blair is understood to want to use the reshuffle to bring Stephen Byers back into the government, nearly four years after the former Transport Secretary quit the Cabinet amid a series of claims over his handling of Railtrack as well as allegations that he had lied to MPs.
Senior ministers expect Blair to step down a few months after he completes 10 years in office, in May 2007. Such a move would provide the Chancellor, the overwhelming favourite to succeed Blair, with at least 18 months in power ahead of an expected general election in 2009, according to 'The Sunday Telegraph'.
However, it would mean Blair reneging on a promise to voters, made before the last elections, to serve a "full term." "Tony will go in about 18 months," one of Blair's closest and most trusted political advisers told the newspaper.
Blair faces many pitfalls between now and then, however, notably over the battle to get his controversial package of school reforms into law in the face of opposition from rebel Labour MPs.
According to the report, in May, Labour is expected to take a political battering in the local elections, another event which could increase calls for his early departure.
Sources close to Brown accepted that a timetable of 18 months was possible, although they scotched claims of a new "deal" between the two leaders.
Those closest to Blair say a departure date in the late summer of 2007 will allow him to claim a significant legacy of reform as long as his Schools Bill passes successfully into law.
A major review of the National Health Service (NHS) is planned for next summer and that period will also include the Comprehensive Spending Review, when Blair and Brown will present Labour's spending plans for the following decade.
Quoting sources close to the Prime Minister, the report said Blair wants part of his legacy to be Iraq's fledgling democracy. Thousands of British troops are planned to have been withdrawn by next summer.
In the coming weeks, Blair will attempt to reassert his authority with a Government reshuffle, which could include the sacking of Hilary Armstrong, the chief whip who was blamed for last week's Commons defeat of the Government over its Religious Hatred Bill.
Blair is understood to want to use the reshuffle to bring Stephen Byers back into the government, nearly four years after the former Transport Secretary quit the Cabinet amid a series of claims over his handling of Railtrack as well as allegations that he had lied to MPs.
End of Article
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