BBC : MPs' letter demands Blair's exit

MPs' letter demands Blair's exit

Some want Mr Blair to leave now

BBC News | September 4, 2006

A letter from recently-elected Labour MPs is demanding that Tony Blair stand down as prime minister.

The letter signed by MPs elected in 2005 praises Mr Blair's achievements but says it is now time to go, Newsnight's Michael Crick said.

There is also understood to be a milder letter signed by MPs voted in in 2001, and another by ministerial aides.

Mr Blair has steadfastly resisted previous calls to name a date for his departure from office.

Reports of the critical letters come as a Populus poll suggested David Cameron's Tories would have a strong lead over Labour whether Mr Blair stayed on, or was replaced by Gordon Brown or John Reid.

No letter delivered

The poll of 1,504 people also suggested 30% of Labour voters and 51% of the general public wanted Mr Blair to step down this year.

As many as 50 MPs might have signed one of the circulating letters, Newsnight said. None have so far been delivered to Downing Street.

Various trade union leaders and Labour MPs have criticised the uncertainty generated by Mr Blair's failure to specify a departure date. Mr Brown will be the strong favourite to take over should Mr Blair step down.

Education Secretary Alan Johnson has said Mr Blair would be handing a "gift" to the opposition parties if he did release a timetable.