ASHOK Kumar has been the epitome of a Blair loyalist - a Labour MP who recognises what Tony Blair has done for the party and the country.

That loyalty secured Mr Kumar's support for the war in Iraq, despite his own personal crisis of conscience about the justification for the conflict. In short, he went along with the war primarily because of his faith in Mr Blair.

So when someone so utterly loyal publicly urges the Prime Minister to pass on the baton - as Mr Kumar does in The Northern Echo today - it is worth taking serious note because it underlines the dilemma facing Mr Blair as he strives to avoid being a lame duck leader.

We believe that Mr Kumar's article on this page will resonate with Labour supporters through the party's northern heartland.

It is written with affection and gratitude for the way Mr Blair transformed the party from an unelectable dinosaur. It gives credit where it is due as well as underlining the mistakes that have been made.

But overall it constitutes a heartfelt plea for Mr Blair not to fall into the same trap as Margaret Thatcher and misjudge the time to depart 10 Downing Street.

Whatever Mr Blair meant by his remark to an Australian radio interviewer that it was a "mistake" to announce that he would not lead Labour into the next general election, it has clearly served to increase the damaging uncertainty surrounding his leadership.

And it makes the sentiments of a Labour loyalist like Ashok Kumar all the more pertinent.