MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

PM bids farewell with victory call

Tony Blair has delivered his farewell to Labour as leader, urging the party to stay true to his principles to win a fourth election victory.

He said there should be no retreat from public service reform, the fight against terror, and tackling issues such as climate change, pensions and the future for nuclear power.

The Prime Minister bluntly told his party and his successor: "It's up to you. You take my advice. You don't take it. Your choice."

He left them with the message: "You're the future now. Make the most of it."

Mr Blair told delegates at Labour's Manchester conference he wanted to heal the wounds of recent weeks with bitter infighting breaking out over who should succeed him and when he should quit No 10.

"The truth is, you can't go on forever. That's why it is right that this is my last conference as leader," said Mr Blair.

"Of course it is hard to let go, but it is also right to let go - for the country and for you, the party.

"Over the coming months I will help build a unified party with a strong platform for the only legacy that has ever mattered to me - a fourth term election victory that allows us to keep changing Britain for the better.

"And I want to heal. There has been a lot of talk of lies and truths these past few days. In no relationship at the top of any walk of life is it always easy, least of all in politics which matters so much and which is conducted in such a piercing spotlight.

"But I know New Labour would never have happened and three election victories would never have been secured without Gordon Brown. He is a remarkable man, a remarkable servant to this country - and that is the truth." The Premier stopped short, however, of explicitly endorsing Mr Brown to succeed him.