UK News 29-09-2003 I`ll Outlast Thatcher, Says Blair who: Tony Blair what: Says he has no intention of standing aside to let Gordon Brown lead the Labour Party where: BOURNEMOUTH when: Yesterday snippet: "Tony Blair made clear yesterday that he intends to outlast Margaret Thatcher, in a defiant message to the Labour Party conference, and explicitly denied any deal to hand power to Gordon Brown," reports The Scotsman`s political editor, Fraser Nelson. "The Prime Minister said he will not only fight the next general election, but intends to serve for the entire third term - a plan which would deliver at least 12 years in power, against Baroness Thatcher`s 11 years." But, reports The Independent, Labour chairman Ian McCartney reckons the Government will not "survive" unless its policies change to reflect the party`s "core values". It`s the start of what The Telegraph says will be "a bruising week at the Labour conference" in Bournemouth, which kicks off with the Party at its lowest level in the opinion polls since 1987. The Sun says Mr Blair is "fighting for his political life". The main conference story of the day will be chancellor Gordon Brown`s keynote speech in which, says the BBC, he will stand firm on his "prudent and responsible" economic policies. He will outline proposals for moving towards full employment which will be presented to the Commmons in a pre-Budget report in November. Conference delegates decided yesterday that employment rights, along with health, manufacturing and pensions, is one of the policy issues which will be put to general vote this week. [... more]

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