London Observer (Sunday): I won't quit, vows Blair as cabinet rift opens

[Jack Rabbit]

EDITED to fix tag

From the London Observer (Sunday supplement of the Guardian Unlimited)
Dated Sunday May 8

I won't quit, vows Blair as cabinet rift opens
· Defeated MPs blame leader for poll losses
· Blair reveals 2008 timetable for departure
By Gaby Hinsliff, political editor

Tony Blair and Gordon Brown were locked in a fierce power struggle last night over the cabinet reshuffle as the newly born partnership stumbled during the first days of the new government.

Within 24 hours of the end of the campaign, the united front adopted by Labour's two most powerful men was cracking over plans to parachute a controversial Downing Street adviser into government - and speculation over the timing of the Prime Minister's departure.

Blair has made clear he has no plans to quit early and has given Brown no date for his departure. The timetable being discussed within his private circle is for him to trigger a party leadership contest in July 2008 and remain as Prime Minister while the succession is resolved, allowing the new leader to take over that autumn. 'The best thing would be to get in at party conference 2008 - that gives you a year to establish yourself but not become overfamiliar,' said a Downing Street source . . . .

The renewed outbreak of infighting comes as defeated MPs who lost their seats on Thursday night blamed the leadership. Jon Owen Jones, who lost his Cardiff Central seat to the Liberal Democrats, said it was because of issues such as Iraq and tuition fees. Asked if there was anything that could have saved him, he said: 'If he had decided to stand down that would have been different. I would have had a good chance whereas, effectively I had no chance.'

Read more.

What is that river in Egypt?

[Cha]

1. tony has been navigating that

River in Egypt since he hooked up with bushco.

[Kagemusha]

2. Told you all.

He's Da Man, and he's proving his dimensions below the belt and his virility.

[davidinalameda]

3. bye bye Tony

it looks like he's on his way out

:hi:

[KittyWampus]

4. Tony "Who Cares What You Think" Blair.

[warrior1]

5. he's history

I'll give him till the end of summer 2005.

[Jack Rabbit]

6. No later than Christmas

!!

[flordehinojos]

7. WITH THE ONE-RIGHT-AFTER-THE-OTHER EXAMPLES OF LEADER WHO LOVE POWER SO

THAT THEY WON'T LET GO OF IT ... one begins to wonder and to be thankful for those who have let go off of power PEACEFULLY and without attempting to subvert a people's will like CLINTON, JIMMY CARTER, GERALD FORD (who never tried to grab power again after he left office) their stars shine bright next to that star of those who want to retain power at all cost, like POPPY, BUSHIT BOY, JEBBIE, NEWT GINGRICH, DAN AND MARILYN QUAYLE .. . you can add your own to either list.

[autorank]

8. bLiar GONE WILD!!! What a bLIAR

Most indicative line as to the situation: "Blair has made clear he has no plans to quit early and has given Brown no date for his departure."

So bLiar leaked that he'd be leaving in several months prior to the campaign. This makes the difference, a paltry 66 MP margin. Now, he says "oops, I was just kidding."

There are two ways to describe this:

Bait-and-switch and FUCKING LIAR!

Labour voters were suckered. Sorry. Vote for a war criminal and what do you expect, the truth.

[LiberalFighter]

18. Doesn't that make it a mandate? Sure it does by golly!!

[autorank]

20. bLiar is *'s Man Date!

[CHIMO]

9. Looks Like

He isn't even going to see the trap door. He believes that he is invincible, that he can talk his way out of anything.
Well there just happens to be a few anti-war people in the backbenches that will exercise their authority.

[antonialee839]

19. He's earned capital and he intends

to spend it, just like our own Monkey. The two of them should lay off the crack.

[Jack Rabbit]

10. Why he'll be in for a tough time (BBC: Labour rebels target Blair)

From the BBC Online
Dated Saturnday March 7

Analysis:
Labour rebels target Blair
By Steve Schifferes
BBC News website reporter

When Parliament resumes next week, Tony Blair will face a much-reduced Labour majority in the House of Commons.

With a majority of only 66, just 34 rebels could stop him in his tracks, if supported by the opposition parties.

But are there enough Labour rebels left with the reduced majority - and if so which are the issues that they are most likely to rebel against?

And, just as importantly, will they be able to make common cause with a divided opposition?

Read more.

[Gloria]

11. Well, that 'humbled' Blair lasted about a day....his arrogance is

showing. The rebels in Labour are now going to have their knives drawn. He has got to go before he screws the whole party, completely.

[BillZBubb]

12. Anybody surprised by this? I mean really?

There is no way Blair leaves before 2008 unless he is ejected kicking and screaming.

Evidently a lot of people were dumb enough to believe the pre-election propaganda that Blair, with a weakened majority or not, would quickly step aside for Brown. Blair is so full of himself, he would never leave on any terms other than his own--unless Labour at long last wakes up and kicks his sorry ass to the curb. I guess the British have sheeple too.

[GainesT1958]

13. No--but I still get the feeling a deal has already been struck...

Between Gordon Brown and Tony Blair. After all, Brown saved Blair--and Labour's--butt in this election, and Tony Blair knows that all too well. There HAD to be a price Brown exacted for that--and it may take two years, but many are predicting that Blair will stand down by that time. He wants to stay--and has been allowed to for now--by Brown mainly so he can 1) get through some of his last, favorite "New Labour" legislation; 2) assume the EU presidency in time for the UK vote on Europe; 3)go gracefully, getting what he wants in terms of personal recognition for turning Labour's fortunes around before Brown and his forces make him stand down.

Apparently, at the least, this was what was agreed upon as the price for Gordon Brown to come in and basically be glued to Tony Blair for the entire campaign. Brown clearly did it for--beside his own fortunes--his party, not the man currently heading that party. Basically, Tony Blair needs to thank Gordon Brown for the fact that his head is still attached to the rest of his body. It's sad, indeed, for the MPs who lost--especially good ones like Michael Twigg and Oona King. Tony Blair ought to--but I'm sure isn't--ashamed at the spectre of these folks losing on account of his lies.:mad:

Being ethnically Scottish--where the LibDems picked up four seats from Labour--I do think it's pretty neat that two of the three major UK party leaders (and Gordon Brown is the REAL "PM" right now) hail from Scotland (including Charles Kennedy, the LibDem leader). I'll lay even money on one thing: a LOT more government quid are going to flow into Scottish projects and programs over the next four years because of THAT fact!:D

B-)

[seemslikeadream]

14. Smirk a Little Smirk For Me

Smirk a Little Smirk For Me






:hi:

[struggle4progress]

15. Go spend quality time with your loving family, Tony. eom

[lovuian]

16. Blair is going to screw Brown and watch Labour rebel!!!

for their own survival!!!

the Liberal democrats are inching closer and closer to becoming the majority party of the future!!!

[CJCRANE]

17. Just like Thatcher.

She wouldn't take the hint so her Cabinet had to force her out.

[Democat]

21. Will he try a "scortched earth" exit?

Where he tries to take the party down with him?