Paper: Blair set to end ten year reign as British PM on May 9th LINK

[Blackhatjack]

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Paper_Blair_set_to_end_ten_0422.html

"British Prime Minister Tony Blair will step down on May 9th, reports the Sunday Mail.

The decision, according to the paper, was made to preempt any charges made in the "cash for honors" scandal.

"That will trigger a seven-week leadership election process in the Labour Party and a new PM - probably Gordon Brown - will move into 10 Downing Street at the end of June," writes Rob Gibson.

The Crown Prosecution Service is unlikely to make a decision about whether to bring criminal charges against some of Blair's aides for allegedly taking kickbacks, despite ample evidence to do so, until Blair leaves office, according to the paper."

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Sounds like Blair is losing his own battle on corruption charges.

[LeftishBrit]

1. It's been predicted for some time that he'd resign in May...

though I'll believe it when I see it.

It will be a relief not to have that smarmy bastard in charge any more; but I don't really know how much things will change. I thought there'd be a big change for the better when Blair beat the Tories in 1997, and was sadly disappointed; so I don't get my hopes up too quickly.

[Blackhatjack]

2. The sooner the better given he has supported Bush on the war in Iraq....

Don't you believe that his successor will be much less supportive of Bush than Blair was?

[LeftishBrit]

3. I think he will be less supportive, yes

I think Brown may be similar to Blair on domestic policy (mostly bad), but better on foreign policy. I think he would not have got us into the war to start with; however, he has not actively opposed it, and I don't know how well he will deal with the mess that Blair has already created.

Of course, I'd be delighted to be pleasantly surprised!

[Blackhatjack]

4. Question: How much influence does Blair have over British Press and what they report?

From observing the conduct of Parliment and the content of discussion there, I take it that outright opposition to Blair is well tolerated.

Do the major papers and tabloids there report on the opposition to Blair without 'spinning' the story in favor of Blair?

Thanks.

[T_i_B]

5. Wait till after the Scots parliament elections on 3rd May

and then let's start speculating about when Blair will go with a much greater accuracy.