Latest: Blair makes his exit where it all began
Tony Blair proudly claimed to have changed the face of modern Britain today as he returned to the place where his political career first began to make the formal announcement of his resignation as Labour leader.
In an emotional speech to supporters in his Sedgefield constituency, Mr Blair declared that in his ten years in power, Britain had been transformed from a “strangely old-fashioned country” into one which is “comfortable in the 21st century, at home in its own skin”.
He added: “Britain not a follower today. It is a leader.” He also defended his record over a decade at No 10, saying: “Hand on heart, I did what I thought was right.”
Under the timetable laid out, Mr Blair will formally tender his resignation as Prime Minister to the Queen on June 27. That means a six-week contest for the Labour leadership - although few believe that it will be anything other than a coronation for Gordon Brown, Mr Blair’s long-time partner in the new Labour project and his Chancellor since 1997.
he most successful leader in Labour history made the first of what will doubtless be many farewell speeches in the humble surroundings of Trimdon Labour Club in his Sedgefield constituency, which he has represented at Westminster since his first election victory as a fresh-faced 30-year-old in 1983.
It was at the same club that Mr Blair began his Labour leadership campaign in 1994 and celebrated his three general election victories. And there was once again a carnival atmosphere this morning, with party activists dancing around to Lou Bega’s Mambo No 5 as they waited impatiently for their MP to appear at around noon.
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Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
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