Ten years - it's long enough

In a deeply personal speech charged with emotion, he defended his record by declaring: "Hand on heart, I did what I thought was right."

He was at once defiant, listing his achievements, but at the same time conciliatory, apologising "for the times I have fallen short".

In a strangely jingoistic passage, he praised Britain, saying: "The world knows it. In our innermost thoughts, we know it. This is the greatest nation on earth."

But of greatest interest was the way in which he tried to reassure people who increasingly doubt him over the war in Iraq. He said that he had acted with the sincerest of intentions.

"I may have been wrong," he said. "That's your call. But believe one thing if nothing else. I did what I thought was right for our country."

He was speaking to the party faithful gathered at Trimdon Labour Club, the scene of his triumphant post-election parties since he was first elected Prime Minister in 1997, in his Sedgefield constituency. In truth, though, he was addressing the wider British public and every moment of his day was watched by television-viewers around the world.

He explained his departure: ''I have been Prime Minister of this country for just over ten years. In this job, in the world today, I think that is long enough for me, but more especially for the country."

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott also announced he was standing down. Labour's ruling committee will meet on Sunday to finalise the elections to find their successors.

But it seems inevitable that Chancellor Gordon Brown will be Britain's next PM - particularly as last night, it looked unlikely that either of the two left-wing contenders would muster enough support to enter the ballot.

The day began with the weekly Cabinet meeting in Downing Street at which Mr Blair informed his colleagues that he was resigning as Labour leader. Then he flew to Trimdon to make the official announcement.

Hilary Armstrong, North-West Durham MP and Minister for Social Inclusion, who flew with him, said: "Gordon was prevailed upon to say a few words, and paid fulsome tribute to him, saying how remarkable it was for him to lead us to three election victories in ten years, and there was much thumping of the table."

John Burton, who has been Mr Blair's agent since he was first elected in 1983, said: "It is spe- cial day, a strange day for me.

"It isn't one of sadness but of happiness as we look at what has taken place over the last ten years and the effect it has on this constituency and this country."

Peter Brookes, another of the "famous five" who helped Mr Blair win the Sedgefield nomination in 1983, said: "Right from the beginning when we first met him, he has been able to explain his reasoning, and he did that today with aplomb. We are going to miss him when he's gone."

The Northern Echo understands that Mr Blair has yet to make his mind up about how long he will remain as MP for Sedgefield.