Blair sets the date

Tony Blair has announced he will resign as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on 27 June 2007, giving him a reign in office of just over ten years, and just under 13 years as Labour Party Leader.

Sky News is full of tributes to him from around the world and in the UK. I’ve sometimes said that his biggest accomplishment was winning elections, and even if this ungenerous interpretation is true, that has not been insignificant in itself. Labour was out of office for a massive 18 years from 1979 to 1997. Blair has won three elections in a row and given Labour 12 or 13 years in office, making themselves the natural party of Government.

Just as Blair has to embrace much of what Thatcher did to become electable, likewise Cameron has had to do the same with Blair. Blair is very young for a former PM and at 54 will probably take up a Clinton like rock star status on the international scene.

I think there is little doubt Gordon Brown will become the next Labour Leader and PM. I doubt one can even get odds from a bookie for him. Brown vs Cameron will be interesting.