Labour's General Secretary pays tribute to Tony Blair and John Prescott
Today Tony Blair MP, Leader of the Labour Party, and John Prescott MP, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, announced they will step down from the leadership of the Labour Party. Tony Blair further announced that on 27 June he will step down as Prime Minister. The Labour Party will now begin the process of selecting a new leadership team with the new Leader and Deputy Leader being announced at the Leadership Conference on Sunday, 24 June.
Peter Watt, Labour’s General Secretary, in a letter to all Labour Party members and supporters sent out today, paid tribute to Tony Blair and John Prescott:
He said:
“I want to first take this opportunity to pay tribute to Tony Blair and John Prescott. Under their leadership we have built a modern and progressive party, able to secure three historic election victories. In doing so we have delivered what we promised in each of those election campaigns: slashing hospital waiting lists, improving school results, building a strong economy, protecting the environment and giving Britain a leading role in Europe and the world.
“Earlier this month we celebrated our 10th anniversary in government. We can look with pride at what we are achieving. As the leadership elections unfold we have the opportunity to highlight what we are delivering for Britain and set out what more we have to do.
“The National Executive Committee recognises the Labour Party’s primary duty is to the country as a whole and respects the responsibility and privilege that has been placed in its hands. The elections must, as always, be conducted in a manner that befits the party of government and which reflects the responsibility and priority of the government and the party to the country.
“This election will be an opportunity for Labour to set out - not only to our members but to the country as a whole – the challenges facing Britain, and to explain how Labour is the Party helping the British people prosper in a changing world.
“Labour’s leadership elections will be open and engaging, offering millions of people across the country the chance to participate directly.
“We are today launching a new leadership website, which will be the place to find authoritative news and information about the contest, nominations received and hustings.
“Throughout the campaign we will show that, when you move beyond the image and the PR, the Tories under David Cameron do not have the policies to provide prosperity and security in a changing world.”
Peter Watt, Labour’s General Secretary, in a letter to all Labour Party members and supporters sent out today, paid tribute to Tony Blair and John Prescott:
He said:
“I want to first take this opportunity to pay tribute to Tony Blair and John Prescott. Under their leadership we have built a modern and progressive party, able to secure three historic election victories. In doing so we have delivered what we promised in each of those election campaigns: slashing hospital waiting lists, improving school results, building a strong economy, protecting the environment and giving Britain a leading role in Europe and the world.
“Earlier this month we celebrated our 10th anniversary in government. We can look with pride at what we are achieving. As the leadership elections unfold we have the opportunity to highlight what we are delivering for Britain and set out what more we have to do.
“The National Executive Committee recognises the Labour Party’s primary duty is to the country as a whole and respects the responsibility and privilege that has been placed in its hands. The elections must, as always, be conducted in a manner that befits the party of government and which reflects the responsibility and priority of the government and the party to the country.
“This election will be an opportunity for Labour to set out - not only to our members but to the country as a whole – the challenges facing Britain, and to explain how Labour is the Party helping the British people prosper in a changing world.
“Labour’s leadership elections will be open and engaging, offering millions of people across the country the chance to participate directly.
“We are today launching a new leadership website, which will be the place to find authoritative news and information about the contest, nominations received and hustings.
“Throughout the campaign we will show that, when you move beyond the image and the PR, the Tories under David Cameron do not have the policies to provide prosperity and security in a changing world.”