Tony Blair Addressing party conference
In his keynote speech to the Labour Party Conference, Prime Minister Tony Blair admitted that his leadership had hit a rough patch.
He said 'People ask me if I am surprised that things have got so tough. I say I am surprised it has taken so long.'
The Prime Minister told delegates in Bournemouth 'We've been far better at defeating ourselves than the Tories have ever been.'
The Prime Minister delivered his much trailed uncompromising message on Iraq saying the conflict had divided the international community. It had divided the party, the country, families, friends, he said.
He went on: 'I ask just one thing: Attack my decision but at least understand why I took it and why I would take the same decision again.'
Mr Blair acknowledged the problems he faces in rebuilding trust with his party and the voters.
He also defended the controversial plan for foundation hospitals, and stressed his vision of a fair society.
Mr Blair praised former Labour leader Neil Kinnock for making a speechattacking Militants in the same Bournemouth conference hall in 1985 saying that was when the party's journey to Government had begun.
Mocking his current standing in the polls, Mr Blair told delegates 'Any politician can do the popular things. I know I used to do a few of them.'
Mr Blair attacked the Conservatives: 'We always knew the Tories didn't have a heart. Their problem now is they haven't got a heartland. No wonder they keep trying to reinvent themselves.'
Mr Blair insisted that New Labour for him was never a departure from belief. Itwas his belief.
'I do not just want an historic third term. Our aim must be an historic realignment of the political forces shaping our country and the wider world,' he said.
But in a concession to unease in the party, Mr Blair conceded that the old top down approach would not work any more. 'I know I can't say `I am the leader, follow me', he said.
The Prime Minister promised a new popular consultation, which would involve ministers and MPs in every constituency hosting discussions that engage with the whole community.
Mr Blair spoke for 50 minutes and was joined on the conference stage by his wife, Cherie, as he received the ritual standing ovation for a Labour leader.
