Blair refuses to back Brown

LONDON – British Prime Minister Tony Blair refused yesterday to give a clear indication of support for finance minister Gordon Brown as his successor, despite repeated questions on the subject.

In an interview with BBC television, Blair – at his last Labour Party annual conference as leader – was asked to respond to a newspaper report that he would not publicly endorse Brown to delegates attending the five-day event. Blair, who has previously said he thought Brown would make a “brilliant” prime minister, instead refused to return to the “squabbling” of earlier this month that forced him into saying he would leave office within a year.”I’m not getting into the leadership contest and all of the rest of it.Gordon has been a fantastic chancellor (of the exchequer).He’s been a great servant of the country and the party,” he said.”I don’t resile from anything I’ve said but this week I’m talking to the public about the public’s concerns.Both of us realise…that the most important thing is that this week we set out our agenda for the future.”It’s important the two of us work together with the rest of the cabinet for the future.”Blair – who has led Labour since 1994 and is the party’s most successful leader, having taken them to three straight general election victories – said it was “perfectly understandable” the media should focus on the succession.Nampa-AFPBlair, who has previously said he thought Brown would make a “brilliant” prime minister, instead refused to return to the “squabbling” of earlier this month that forced him into saying he would leave office within a year.”I’m not getting into the leadership contest and all of the rest of it.Gordon has been a fantastic chancellor (of the exchequer).He’s been a great servant of the country and the party,” he said.”I don’t resile from anything I’ve said but this week I’m talking to the public about the public’s concerns.Both of us realise…that the most important thing is that this week we set out our agenda for the future.”It’s important the two of us work together with the rest of the cabinet for the future.”Blair – who has led Labour since 1994 and is the party’s most successful leader, having taken them to three straight general election victories – said it was “perfectly understandable” the media should focus on the succession.Nampa-AFP