Blair Says Strong
Ties With U.S. Crucial
By JENNIFER QUINN, AP
from washingtonpost.com September 26, 2006
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Britain's
Prime Minister Tony Blair applauds during the keynote speech of the
Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown at the Labour Party
conference in Manchester, England, Monday Sept. 25, 2006.
(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) |
MANCHESTER, England -- Tony Blair
gave his last address to his Labour Party as prime minister on Tuesday, saying
it is important to stay close to Washington in the fight against terrorism even
though it can be hard to be the United States' strongest ally.
The 53-year-old leader acknowledged Tuesday it would be hard for him to leave
office but said it was the right thing to do.
In a wistful but forward-looking speech, Blair told the party it must remain
bold if it is to hold onto power and said the only legacy he cared about was
Labour's winning a fourth term.
Delegates, grateful for the three straight election victories to which Blair led
their party, listened raptly as he spoke and frequently interrupted him with
cheers. Many waved supportive placards reading "Too young to retire" and "Tony,
you made Britain better."
Blair fondly recalled his start in politics as a young Parliamentary candidate
in 1983, and said Labour had changed the terms of debate in British politics
during his time as leader.
"The truth is, you can't go on forever," he said. "That's why it is right that
this is my last conference as leader."
"Of course it is hard to let go. But it is also right to let go. For
the country, and for you, the party," he said during an hourlong speech.
Although Blair has long had a love-hate relationship with a party he's remade
since taking its helm in 1994, he said he would always watch Labour's
achievements with pride -- whether or not it took his parting advice.
"Wherever I am, whatever I do, I'm with you," he said. "Wishing you well
and wanting you to win. You're the future now, so make the most of it."
Blair said fighting terrorism would remain a tough challenge for Britain in the
years after he leaves office. But he said it was crucial to stay close to
the United States, despite the severe political damage he suffered for his tight
relationship with President Bush and his support for the U.S.-led war in Iraq.
"Yes, it's hard sometimes to be America's strongest ally," he said, adding that
close involvement in the European Union could also be difficult. "At the
moment I know people only see the price of these alliances. Give them up
and the cost in terms of power, weight and influence for Britain would be
infinitely greater."
"Distance this country and you may find it's a long way back," he said.
Blair gave in to a fierce rebellion in the party to announce on Sept. 7 that he
would step down within a year, although he has not set a precise date.
He offered warm praise for Treasury chief Gordon Brown, the man expected to
succeed him, but stopped short of making an endorsement. Blair said Labour
would never have won its three terms without Brown's contributions, but
acknowledged their relationship had been strained at times.
"In no relationship at the top of any walk of life is it always easy, least of
all in politics," he said. "(Brown) is a remarkable man, a remarkable
servant to this country. And that is the truth."
Blair recited a litany of his government's accomplishments since he became prime
minister in 1997.
He said Labour had built a strong economy for Britain, reduced child poverty and
allowed gay couples to form civil partnerships. Free entry to many
museums, a smoking ban and winning the 2012 Olympics for London were also on his
list of achievements.
"Take a step back and be proud," he told his party. "This is a changed
country."
Labour, he said, had so succeeded in remaking British politics that the
opposition Conservative Party has moved away from the right and toward the
center in response, he said.
"Don't lose heart from that," Blair said. "Take heart from it. We
have changed the terms of political debate."
Michael Lauro, a local Labour lawmaker from Derbyshire, in central England, said
he was considering retiring from politics himself, but that Blair's speech had
changed his mind.
"I'm very emotional," he said, moving his eyeglasses to wipe his eyes. "It
was a great farewell, but a very sad one. He turned the country around,
and this is the best time the country has ever had and he's the best prime
minister the country has ever had."
The address came a day after Brown strengthened his claim to the top job with a
self-confident speech that gave the clearest picture yet of what kind of leader
he would be.
He set out a centrist vision that suggested he agreed with Blair's view that
Labour must stay focused on moderate voters to retain power. But he also
sought support from the party's left with declarations of his commitment to core
Labour values like social justice and fighting poverty.
Brown has denied he was behind the party rebellion that forced Blair to promise
to resign within a year, but most believe he has been growing impatient for the
prime minister to step aside so he can take office.
"Where over these years differences have been a distraction from what matters, I
regret that and I know Tony does too," Brown said Monday.
He echoed Blair's call for Labour to stop obsessing about its internal politics
and focus on policies that matter to Britons.
"The only reason any of us are here is that we are in politics as servants of
the people," Brown said.
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