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Blair says he is not quitting soon
A defiant Tony Blair came out shooting at his critics and party MPs on Friday, vowing to carry on as prime minister to complete Labour's general election programme before handing over the reins of power.
A defiant Tony Blair came out shooting at his critics and party MPs on Friday, vowing to carry on as prime minister to complete Labour's general election programme before handing over the reins of power.
"I'm not going anywhere. I'm here and I'm going to see the whole programme through," he said.
"You are not going to fight an election six months ago, particularly a very tricky, difficult, hard and personal election, and just walk away.
"I want to see through the changes I've made and the changes I'm making."
For the first time, he pledged to hand the New Labour baton over to Chancellor Gordon Brown sometime before the next election — due at the latest in 2010. "I'm absolutely happy that Gordon will be my successor. He needs the confidence of knowing he will succeed me and that's fair enough."
