Downing Street Says » Prime Minister

The Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman (PMOS) advised journalists that the Prime Minister would be visiting two schools in London this afternoon. The first visit would be to a primary school in East London where he would see phonics being used to teach literacy to five-year-olds. The second visit would be to a secondary school between 2pm and 3pm where he would no doubt say some words regarding the speculation about him.

In answer to questions, the PMOS said that the Prime Minister was very well aware of what the public must be thinking about events this week. In addition, as we had told journalists at Tuesday’s press briefing, we were very comfortable with what David Miliband had said on the subject. Anything the Prime Minister said today would doubtless reflect both those points. The PMOS also took the opportunity to reiterate Downing Street’s position regarding the speculation about precise dates for the Prime Minister’s resignation: as we had said yesterday, we would not be giving a running commentary. That remained the position today. Whatever the Prime Minister said this afternoon, we did not believe that anyone would be able to talk any more confidently this evening about dates than they had been able to do yesterday. In the light of all that, it was therefore clear that some of the speculation we had seen over the last few hours was just "plain wrong". Asked to explain what was wrong about it, the PMOS said that he had seen, listened to and read reports about precise dates. All he would do was advise journalists that he wouldn’t go down any of those routes.

Asked if the Prime Minister had consulted the Chancellor about what he was intending to say this afternoon, the PMOS said that, as journalists were well aware, it wasn’t his practice to brief on private conversations between the Prime Minister and Cabinet colleagues. Asked if the Prime Minister continued to view the Chancellor as his natural successor, the PMOS said that the Prime Minister’s view had not changed. Asked to characterise current relations between the Prime Minister and the Chancellor, the PMOS said that, as had been stressed many times on the record by the Prime Minister himself, his view of the Chancellor remained unchanged.

Questioned as to whether the Prime Minister continued to believe that giving a precise date for his resignation would be damaging, the PMOS said that the Prime Minister’s reasons had not changed. We had said that we were comfortable with David Miliband’s views on the subject and that continued to be the case. Put to him that the "chaos" and "turmoil" of the last two days was only going to persist if the Prime Minister’s words this afternoon only served to repeat what he had already said, the PMOS said that he had no intention of getting drawn into speculating about possible reactions to words that had not yet even been spoken.

Asked if the Prime Minister still intended to remain Prime Minister until at least the run-up to the May elections in Scotland, the PMOS advised journalists to exercise a little patience and wait and see what the Prime Minister actually said this afternoon. We had told journalists many times this week that we would not be giving a running commentary on this subject and that continued to be the case.

Asked what the Prime Minister hoped to achieve by making a statement, the PMOS repeated that the Prime Minister was very well aware of what the public must be thinking about events this week. Asked if he was aware what the Party must be thinking, the PMOS said that, as a civil servant, it was not appropriate for him to talk about party matters. Asked what had prompted the Prime Minister to change his mind about making a public statement about his departure, the PMOS said that as we had told journalists on Tuesday, David Miliband had articulated what was a common sense position. We continued to stand by that view. Asked if the Prime Minister had contemplated "instant resignation" at any time in the past few days, the PMOS confirmed that he hadn’t.

Questioned about Jack Straw’s comments on the subject on the Today Programme this morning, the PMOS declined the journalist’s invitation to draw him into a running commentary about precise dates. Asked for Downing Street’s interpretation of Mr Straw’s comments, the PMOS said that Mr Straw had simply been reflecting the views of David Miliband. As we had emphasised repeatedly, we were perfectly comfortable with what Mr Miliband had said.

Asked for a reaction to a report in today’s Sun suggesting that the Prime Minister had authorised the use of the word "blackmail" in relation to the Chancellor, the PMOS said he did not think any journalist could say that they had heard him use the term yesterday.

Asked if the Prime Minister had expressed any concern about the possible paralysis of the Civil Service as a result of the events of the last few days, the PMOS said the Prime Minister believed that it was helpful for people to have a general understanding of his position. Equally, it was important for people to remember that he remained Prime Minister, and as such had a very active agenda which he had set out many times. On foreign issues, this included travelling to the Middle East. Similarly, on the domestic agenda, there was a long list of issues, such as energy, pensions, NHS, education and Northern Ireland. Clearly, there remained much to do in the coming days.

6 Comments »

The sooner Blair goes the better.

He has brought shame on his office and on this country.

He should go to The Hague to face trial for war crimes.
Comment by andrew baisley — 7 Sep 2006 on 2:50 pm | Link
The sooner Blair goes the better.

He has brought shame on his office and on this country.

He should go to The Hague to face trial for war crimes.
Comment by andrew baisley — 7 Sep 2006 on 2:51 pm | Link
The sooner Blair goes the better.

He has brought shame on his office and on this country.

He should go to The Hague to face trial for war crimes.
Comment by andrew baisley — 7 Sep 2006 on 2:52 pm | Link
tony blair is the worst leader we have ever had

brown is just as bad the stealth tax idiot

and prescote is a useles fike
Comment by ian smith — 7 Sep 2006 on 3:58 pm | Link
tony blair is the worst leader we have ever had

brown is just as bad the stealth tax idiot

and prescote is a useles fike
Comment by ian smith — 7 Sep 2006 on 3:59 pm | Link
When it was leaked that Blair intended to choreograph his departure next year (no doubt with Alastair Campbell scattering rose petals for him to walk on to the exits)it emerged that he would appear on Blue Peter and Songs of Praise. What might Tony sing on Songs of Praise? Here are my suggestions:
– I’ll Walk With George From This Day On
– Wait and Murmur Not
– And Must I Be To Judgement Brought
– By Babylon’s Streams We Sat and Wept
– Chief of Sinners, Here I Stand
– Long Have I Sought Eternal Life
– Lord, I Believe Thy Power I Own
– What a Friend We Have in Rupert.
Comment by Tony (not that one) — 7 Sep 2006 on 10:41 pm | Link

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» Thursday, September 7, 2006

Prime Minister

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