Another day, another call to throw in the towel

ANOTHER day of policy confusion led to renewed calls last night for Tony Blair to hand over the reins of power.

The fall- out from David Blunkett’s resignation, and doubts about his ability to deliver on his manifesto commitments, have left him under severe pressure.

The Premier appeared out of sorts at his monthly press conference in the face of persistent questioning about his ability to stay in the job. He remains bullish about his capacity to persuade his party to follow, but on health, education, welfare and nuclear issues he is up against disillusioned Labour MPs who are putting his majority of 66 at risk.

Downing Street has been warned by senior Blair loyalists that the situation is critical, and that Labour is under threat from a resurgent Tory party likely to be led by rising star David Cameron.

One loyalist yesterday added his voice to the calls for Mr Blair to speed the handover to Gordon Brown rather than risk damaging Labour chances at the next election.

Graham Stringer said Mr Blair’s position was causing ‘uncertainty’ among MPs who believe his programme of radical public service reform will be a vote-loser. He told Radio 4’s Today programme: ‘The solution is a sensible and organised handover of power to whichever person is going to lead the Labour Party into the next General Election.’

Asked whether the handover should come within the next 12 months, he said: ‘Oh yes, quickly.’

And he added: ‘The party generally want a leader who is focused on the next election.

‘ There are clearly very difficult issues of education, health, antiterrorism legislation to be dealt with. What is bedevilling those discussions is knowing that Tony Blair won’t be going over the top with us at the next General Election to defend whatever decisions are taken.

‘What people are really worried about is if we come to a conclusion on these issues, then the next leader may well not support the decisions we have come to.’