I'm staying for another year at least, vows Blair

[IndianaGreen]

Bloody Hell!

I'm staying for another year at least, vows Blair

By Patrick Hennessy and Melissa Kite

(Filed: 06/08/2006)

Tony Blair has fired the opening shots in a new war with Gordon Brown by indicating that he wants to stay in power for "at least another year," The Sunday Telegraph has learnt.

Close colleagues of the Prime Minister say that he returned from his five-day trip to the United States feeling "rejuvenated" and believing that he still has a major role to play both domestically and internationally.

He has ordered his aides to prepare a packed programme for September, between his return from his Caribbean holiday and the start of the Labour Party conference in Manchester.

Authoritative sources said that Mr Blair is also ready for a fresh fight with his Labour critics, both inside and outside his Cabinet, by seeking to push through a fresh round of "modernising" reforms in health and education.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/08/06/nblair06.xml

[Kagemusha]

1. It was so obvious to me he'd do this. Anyone else get that feeling?

So obvious, even, I dare say, utterly predictable for a man who honestly believes he's God's gift to the world.

[maddezmom]

2. I'm a bit shocked...I really thought he's leave and take a big money

job somewhare. :shrug:

[Kagemusha]

4. It's the power, not the money.

It's being so great and awesome a leader that you don't need to be beholden to a party or an ideology, but only to yourself. Great stuff, if you're untouchable.

[anotherdrew]

7. clearly bush told him he wasn't permitted to quit yet n/t

[orwell]

3. I always believe...

...a pathological liar...

[anotherdrew]

5. Britain. Britain. Britain.why in hell don't they 'no-confidence' him? why?

how so terribly unpopular a figure can continue to wield power in Britain I just don't understand, it seems democracy has become as much a sham in Britain as it has in the US.

[Kagemusha]

6. They convinced themselves Blair would finally understand.

They were wrong.

Now the country will wake up to that Sunday Telegraph headline and collectively gag. Will they finally have had enough? Blair's betting no.

[SweetLeftFoot]

14. Ummm

because he is not a terribly unpopular figure. Its only just over 12 months since he won re-election with a majority that most PM's would die for.

His policy on Iraq and the ME as a whole is deeply unpopular, yes, but people like, admire, and respect the work he and his government have done in a wide range of other areas. They see the results of the tax credits, the spending on hospitals, schools etc.

Americans so often make the mistake at looking at Blair through the prism of the ME.

And your comments about Britain coming to mirror the US for lack of democracy are naive beyond belief. Certainly, Britain is not an ideal democracy - the FPTP voting system being a key element that needs reform, alongside the Lords - but it is certainly more representative than the US.

Your question about 'no confidence' can be simply answered - a no confidence motion can only be launcghed by the Parliamentary Labour Party and is the equivalent of 'pressing the red button'. Its an admission of utter failure by a government. Moves are underway to get Blair out and while I do think he will be around for a few months yet, the good oil is that he will announce his stepping down at next party conference and there will be a few month long transition period with Brown.

The last thing Labour wants is an extended and bloody leadership fight which would give the even more hawkish and pro-Yank Tories the inside running.

The best result for the 2009 election would be a reduced Labour majority requiring an coalition of some sort with the Lib Dems.

[IndianaGreen]

22. Let's see how Brits react to Blair's plan to put tolls on every road

They may react the same negative way we Hoosiers have about our GOP governor's plan to privatize every highway in the state.

[SweetLeftFoot]

24. I can't see that getting through in the medium term

[ananda]

28. Hoosiers voted GOP

That's what you get.. privatization.. basically a screw job.

[anotherdrew]

30. thanks for the info n/t

[Ghost Dog]

17. I think they will. I think this time they will,

come the Labour Party conference in September. And Jack Straw may well play a leading role.

[T_i_B]

19. We on DU have been claiming that they will...

...since the Iraq war started at least and a genuine chalenge has still yet to be mounted. call me what you will but I don't think the Labour party is in any sort of mood for all out civil war.

[IndianaGreen]

20. Do you think there will be a revolt at the September party conference?

You are more tuned to what is going on over there than we are.

[T_i_B]

21. No.

[IndianaGreen]

23. Rats!

Thanks!

[BooScout]

26. No they won't. n/t

[BooScout]

8. What's the point?

Gordon Brown is not really any better when it comes down to it. *sigh*

[savemefromdumbya]

33. right but he used to be a radical

[Placebo]

9. Could have seen that from a mile away.

I can't imagine anything about the current political climate in the US or a meeting with Bush that would "REJUVENATE" any sane person.

If he had any honour left in him at all, he'd resign right now. Same with the current leadership here at home as well.

[anotherdrew]

10. blair isn't a 'sane person' - bush has destroyed what little he ever was

he's a completely controlled toy of bush; somewhere deep in his brain he just can't stop screaming; wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't start going for solo walks in parks soon.

[eppur_se_muova]

31. Why am I reminded of "The Puppet Masters"?

(which was a book by Robert Heinlein long before it was a movie)

[CJCRANE]

11. NOOOOO000000000oooooo.......nt

[w4rma]

12. Omg, stupid Labor MPs. Just 'no-confidence' him out of office

while you still have a plurality. Jeeze. Get rid of this anchor. He is trying to help the Tories, now. Quit waiting and do it now.

I suggest that folks support the Liberal Democrats in every way possible until the Labor Party decides they won't stand with Blair anymore.

And *do not support Tories*. Blair is essentially a Tory. Blair is giving Tories everything they want.

[savemefromdumbya]

34. THe Labour Party can get him out as he is the Leader

[0007]

13. Good!! Maybe the Brits will wake up now and fix the toilet

and flush this turd down the drain.

[tanyev]

15. "rejuvenated" = sent back with new marching orders.

You gotta earn that cushy chair at the Carlyle Group, you know. They don't just give them away free.

[flordehinojos]

16. gee, since he is the only one on board with bushled boy, and has been the

only one on board with bushled boy since 911... i wonder, did POPPY BUSH PROMISE BLAIR A POT OF GOLD AT THE END OF THE RAINBOW, err, ONE MORE YEAR TERM IF HE STAYS ANOTHER YEAR TO KEEP HIS BOY COMPANY AND HELP HIM DELIVER D-E-M-O-C-R-A-C=Y AND TNT to the world?

[Ghost Dog]

18. Murdoch. Never underestimate the power of Murdoch. n/t

[MisterP]

25. he's turning into Musharraf

he's already Thatcher

[leesa]

27. Why does Britain keep this monster when it is so much easier for them

to get rid of him than it is for us to get rid of our monster?

[Cha]

29. "Toady Blur"..

I hope the Brits make life hell on Earth for him and he wishes he'd made an earlier exit.

[savemefromdumbya]

35. his friend 'Yo Blair' will see that he stays

[savemefromdumbya]

32. Labour Party conference is coming up in October

lets' see if the party has some spine to get rid of him as leader?

[yngliberal]

36. If they are smart...

The Labour Party will vote him out because if they don't, I believe the Conservatives are going to take over the British government.

Just my opinion.