Blair: I'll quit next year - trust me

By George Jones, Political Editor and Brendan Carlin
(Filed: 09/05/2006)

Tony Blair abandoned his election promise to serve a full third term last night, indicating that he could stand down next summer.

Although he refused to set a timetable for his departure, saying that it would paralyse government, he anointed Gordon Brown as his successor and promised to give him sufficient time to establish himself before the next election.