EXCLUSIVE: HOW BLAIR WILL GO

His genuine legacy is not the delivery, important though that is, but the dominance of new Labour ideas - the triumph of Blairism
By Kevin Maguire And Oonagh Blackman

A SENSATIONAL memo leaked to the Mirror reveals how Labour experts are planning Tony Blair's exit from No10.

The retirement blueprint aims to promote the "triumph of Blairism" and allow the PM to quit on a wave of euphoria after 10 years in office.

The secret strategy - drawn up by a small group of loyalists - is well under way.

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Mr Blair's "farewell tour" includes plans to appear on Blue Peter, Songs of Praise and Chris Evans' radio show.

The five-page memo, drawn up by a close-knit group around the leader including party guru Philip Gould, suggests the PM is nearer to stepping down than he publicly admits.

It warns: "Time is not an unlimited commodity."

And more concerned with his place in history than the success of his policies, the paper - seen by the Mirror - boasts: "His genuine legacy is not the delivery, important though that is, but the dominance of new Labour ideas...the triumph of Blairism.

"As TB enters his final phase he needs to be focusing way beyond the finishing line, not looking at it.

"He needs to go with the crowds wanting more. He should be the star who won't even play that last encore. In moving towards the end he must focus on the future."

The plan to spin Mr Blair's exit and to promote him as a PM the public will be sad to see the back of is bound to anger Gordon Brown, favourite to succeed him. The document accepts the pair's strained relationship could deteriorate further.

The possible reactions of the Chancellor, who fears the longer Mr Blair stays the stronger the Tories will become, are prepared for under a section labelled "threats and opportunities".

It warns: "There are specific issues which can provide opportunities and threats. They are: GB's reaction...the more successful we are the more it will agitate and possibly destabilise him, we need to consider how to deal."

It is said Mr Blair will appear on Blue Peter and negotiations are believed to be under way for him to go on Songs of Praise. The memo also says invitations are being sought to appear on Chris Evans' Radio 2 slot plus half a dozen other popular programmes. Other revelations include:

SPENDING a day then an overnight stay in half a dozen cities across the country.

VISITING the 20 most striking buildings opened or redeveloped since 1997.

INCREASING the number of high-profile tours of schools and hospitals.

AVOIDING discussing Mr Blair's job offers - fuelling rumours he's received approaches.

The memo also suggests the PM travels to Wales and Scotland to argue devolution is a success ahead of next spring's elections, gives set-piece interviews once a month to foreign newspapers to boost his international standing and proposes "careful" handling of how he also quits as MP for Sedgefield in County Durham.

The extraordinary memo will heighten speculation that Mr Blair is already on his last lap and is privately preparing to depart some time around May next year when he celebrates 10 years in power.

He last week failed to end speculation over his retirement date when he ruled out naming the day at Labour's annual conference in Manchester later this month. He pointedly accused Cabinet Ministers and Labour MPs, led by Mr Brown, of "obsessing" over the timing. Yet the No 10 memo reveals how the issue is dominating thinking deep inside the Downing Street bunker.

IRAQ also continues to cast a long shadow over the Premier's record, the document openly acknowledges. It says: "We need to incorporate this into our media plan. It's the elephant in the room, let's face up to it." The memo concludes: "Most importantly, are we up for it? Is TB up for it?"

And the memo came as it was revealed last night that a group of newly-elected Labour MPs have drafted a letter calling for the PM's resignation.

Mr Blair's final weeks in office will be particularly carefully choreographed to ensure cheers rather than jeers. Under the heading "Last month" the memo suggests: "Needs a daily grid, planned to the last detail.

"As much as possible a farewell tour, looking to the future, making sure the party is in the right place and the public remember him as he should be."

The strategy is already under way as the PM embarks on a reputation-enhancing series of lectures.

Mr Blair wants to be seen on TV in more "real-life situations" with people instead of politicians and is to focus on areas such as technology, genetics and family relationships. The memo says: "He needs to embrace open spaces, the arts and businesses, he needs to be seen to be travelling on different forms of transport. He needs to be seen with people who will raise eyebrows.

"He needs to travel around the UK to be carefully positioned as someone who while not above politics, is certainly distancing himself from the political village. He should be dropping references in all that he does which reflect his energy and enthusiasm.

"This needs to move on from 'I'm getting on with the job' to 'this is a great job, I'm very lucky, I won't have it one day and before that day comes I still have lots to do and say'."

Among the Downing Street aides involved with the document are Ruth Turner, David Hill, Liz Lloyd, John McTernan and spin doctor Dave Hill.

PARTS that have already been implemented include an outing on Radio 5 Live's 606 football phone-in to talk about England's World Cup prospects with presenter Adrian Chiles.

The document, headed "Reconnecting with the public - a new relationship with the media", was prepared earlier this year.

It was produced around the time of Labour's "Black Wednesday" when Mr Blair was rocked by a series of scandals that weakened his position.

The conflagration of Deputy PM John Prescott's affair, a row over the release of foreign prisoners and nurses booing Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt shook No 10's foundations.

But it shows Mr Blair and his aides want him to keep his hand on the tiller until the moment he leaves.

Sketching out his exit it says: "One where we make it clear that the PM will be spending his final period in office preparing Britain for its future challenges, setting out what they are and connecting with the public who gave him the chance to serve."

The document also calls on aides to make it clear how much they have loved working with Mr Blair.

It wants him to be seen in "iconic locations" and away from the "traditional backdrops of public buildings and lecterns".

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It says: "In seeking to achieve this the whole operation should reflect the change in the political atmosphere: TB focusing on his priorities' TB laying the foundations for the future based on his experience in office. This positive approach needs to be reflected not only by TB but by all those who work and support him. We should show how much we enjoy working for TB, what pride we take in our work and how we want his premiership to end on a high." Mr Blair intends to present himself as above the political fray, both within the Labour Party and against enemies.

The memo reads: "While we need to do what is required to defend the Government and ensure a clarity of message, we should not be drawn into hand to hand combat.

BUT if some of our own side are not prepared to accept this, and the Tories step up their attacks then we will have to revisit...but this whole approach has been adopted to avoid that, so we should work on the basis that we will have achieved this.

"As ever, this is not rocket science, we know what works well: strong, policy-focused events which have substance, striking pictures, words from TB and real people involved.

"But it is essential that we do all we can in our message and planning to ensure that we do not get knocked off by events."

The group of MPs calling for the PM to quit include Blairites Sion Simon and Chris Bryant. It was signed by a number of the 38 first elected in 2001.

Its contents were being kept secret last night. But one MP involved said: "If the Prime Minister has decided that to set a timetable will undermine his authority, and his authority is already undermined, the obvious thing is for him to go now."

The letter came as the Tories maintained a strong lead over Labour in a Populus poll for today's Times.

But the good news for Labour is that 33 per cent of voters would vote for the party if Mr Brown took over.

Just 30 per cent want Mr Blair to quit now and 40 per cent voted for him to stay until the next election.

Labour MPs are increasingly predicting disastrous results in Welsh and Scottish Parliamentary elections next May. This has led growing numbers of backbenchers to call on the PM to make his departure date clear way before those elections.

But the memo says: "Wales and Scotland - devolution despite the bumpy ride has been a success, TB should embrace this. His profile should be raised in the major urban areas in advance of the elections."

Iraq: We need to incorporate this into our media plan. It's the elephant in the room, let's face up to it. Most importantly - are we up for it? Is TB up for it?

As TB enters his final phase he needs to be focusing way beyond the finishing line, not looking at it. He needs to go with the crowds wanting more. He should be the star who won't even play that last encore

Last month - needs a daily grid, planned to the last detail. As much as possible a farewell tour, looking to the future, making sure the party is in the right place and the public remember him as he should be

There are specific issues which can provide opportunities and threats. They are: GB's reaction - the more successful we are the more it will agitate and possibly destabilise him, we need to consider how to deal

EXCLUSIVE: THE BLAIR SWITCH PROJECT
HOW BLAIR WILL GO
By Kevin Maguire And Oonagh Blackman

COLLECTING a Blue Peter badge or leaving on a hymn and a prayer - literally - are an unorthodox way for a Prime Minister to bid his farewells.

But Tony Blair has always been a master of surprises, often defying political gravity.

The leaking of the Downing Street memorandum gives an extraordinary insight into the real machinations going on in the No 10 bunker.

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This is politics at its most raw. Publicly the PM is vague and dismissive of a likely departure date. Privately a highly detailed battle plan is in place that aims to catapult

Mr Blair out of office and into elder statesmanship with as many bells and whistles as possible.

The key aides masterminding the most drawn-out exit in British political history have thought of everything - even a celestial choir, courtesy of Songs of Praise.

As they bunker down in the PM's study at the back of No10 over endless cups of milky tea, the level of detail that has been nailed down is breathtaking.

Mr Blair will leave, as he arrived, on a brilliantly orchestrated PR campaign. He will be spun from office.

The loyalists - known as the "ultras" in Labour circles - began to formulate a plan soon after his historic victory at the polls in May last year. These diehards - Mr Blair's Brains Trust, the people who have delivered for him time and time again in the last nine years - have long feared the Brownite hordes gathering at the Whitehall gates.

Informal get-togethers once a month gave way to more urgent discussions as it became clear the furore surrounding the PM's departure date just would not go away. The meetings have been late in the evening at No10 when only key staff remain or brainstorming weekends at Chequers when all concerned can be at their most candid.

The people Mr Blair trusts most - so much so that they can often contradict or shout down the PM in the most casual manner - have formulated an exacting blueprint.

And with Blairites and Brownites among the rank and file now at daggers drawn, the PM is eager to rise above the fray and let both sets of supporters slug it out.

But what both camps will be stunned to learn from the memo is that the main thing on the PM's mind is the PM himself.

One line reads: "His genuine legacy is not the delivery, important though that is, but the dominance of New Labour ideas - the triumph of Blairism."

Today's revelations of secret manoeuvrings over the manner and timing of his departure will inevitably intensify pressure to name that date. While Mr Blair scolds us for "obsessing" over his exit date, it is clear he is a lot more obsessed. Operation Stand Down is an exhaustive and in parts exhausting process.

Reading through the memorandum, the odds have shortened considerably on a likely exit around May's 10th anniversary. The countdown has started and the PM has only himself to blame.

He created the current wave of speculation and playground yah-boo between supporters and opponents by announcing two years ago that he would be off at some point.

And only Mr Blair can end the bickering by opening his diary and showing the month, if not the week or day, he has probably ringed.

Insults flying as Blairite fanatics Stephen Byers and Alan Milburn trade curses with champions of Chancellor Gordon Brown, led by his "brain" Ed Balls, are undermining public confidence and weakening the Labour party.

Tory leader David Cameron is grinning from ear to ear, picking up votes as the electorate grows disillusioned with the squabbling.

Education Secretary Alan Johnson, a good bet for Deputy to a Premier Brown, struggled to interest radio inquisitors yesterday in healthier school meals.

Interviewers wanted to know what he thought about the PM's "not telling" mantra and if he was interested in the job. With the boss preparing to quit but keeping us all guessing, who can blame them?

The line trotted out by No10, that it would be worse for Mr Blair if he told us, does not wash. It is hard to imagine how anything could be more destabilising than the present destructive uncertainty.

Governments are about more than a single figure and Labour faces a stark choice.

The party can be a monument to a soon to retire leader or a movement delivering prosperity, public services and security for hardworking families.

Iraq is - as the memo correctly notes - an "elephant in the room", a grotesque mistake that overshadows the Government's real achievements.

Mr Blair can point to much delivered for the voters who put him into No10 three times.

Incomes are up and inflation down. The national minimum wage, tax credits and lifting one million children and pensioners out of poverty are concrete gains.

Free TV licences for the oldest and £200 winter fuel payments for all pensioner homes did not come from the Tories. Then there are higher health and education spending, free nursery places and crime overall down.

Labour has much to thank the PM for and the PM much to thank Labour for.

A fresh-faced Mr Blair vowed on becoming Labour leader more than a decade ago never to repeat Maggie Thatcher's error and overstay his welcome.

We now know the plan, Prime Minister. Just give us the date.

THE PM'S 'ULTRAS'

DAVE HILL
WHEN Tony Blair exits No10, Hill won't be far behind.

The PM has long relied on Hill's wise counsel and firefighting skills. And the political veteran is closely involved with the planning of his boss's long goodbye.

Hill helped steer Blair to power in 1997. After a spell out in the PR world, he returned to the No10 powerhouse after Alastair Campbell's torrid exit over the Iraq dossier affair. He is married to Cherie Blair's spin doctor Hilary Coffman.

BENJAMIN WEGG-PROSSER
FRESH-faced Benjy was aide to Peter Mandelson when Labour came to power. The geeky Director of the No10 Strategic Communications Unit is a trusted member of the New Labour tribe. Last spring the PM called him "my gorgeous assistant".

Like the rest of the inner circle Wegg- Prosser will leave No10 when Blair goes. Until then he will be working closely on the exit plan and drawing up the PR strategy to make sure all the right messages come across.

PHILIP GOULD
THIS supreme loyalist has been nurturing the Blair brand since the early 90s and has been at the PM's side for all three election victories.

As Blair's private pollster and devil's advocate he picks groups of floating voters to pick up on the public mood. His legendary confidential reports are notoriously morbid about Labour's fortunes.

Gould is one of the few ultra-loyalists urging the PM to broker peace talks with Gordon Brown.

MATTHEW TAYLOR
THE PM's Political Secretary has been in the job for less than 18 months but is an influential figure.

He is a key thinker creating the radical policy ideas Blair craves.

Towering Taylor is a workaholic and cycling fanatic who burns the midnight oil in the No10 bunker.

Insiders say he is "ballsy" and one of the few advisers who has irreverent conversations with the PM as Blair "worships him".

RUTH TURNER
LOW-profile Director of Government Relations was parachuted into No10 after the 2005 election.

She gained her New Labour credentials setting up the Big Issue in the North of England where she quickly came to the attention of Blair's close allies Alan Milburn and Stephen Byers.

Her job means she is a link between Blair and Labour MPs, party workers and the unions.

LIZ LLOYD
BLAIR'S longest-serving member of staff has been working as an adviser and researcher since the 90s.

Her office is just a stone's throw from his and she is one of the few who regularly pops in and out of the Blair flat above 11 Downing Street.

Liz was a contemporary of other Blairites at school in the Surrey stockbroker belt. The PM promoted her to Deputy Chief of Staff after his last election victory.

JOHN McTERNAN
FORMER Labour Party librarian has become part of the inner core.

Dubbed "McFixer", he took over the key job of Director of Political Operations after the last election.

His role means he will be heavily involved in plotting the final phase of the Blair premiership. He will help draw up the plans to brush up the PM's image with a series of speeches, lectures and dramatic public appearances.

JONATHAN POWELL
BLAIR'S chief of staff is one of the few senior figures who can walk unannounced into the PM's office.

The urbane former diplomat fits the bill of close confidant and is heavily involved in choreographing the Prime Minister's long goodbye.

He was once quoted describing Gordon Brown as a "Shakespearean tragedy" who would never be PM. Insiders claim he dislikes the Chancellor as much as Cherie Blair does.