constituency in the immediate future. [laughter] >> you'll understand, that the union's members have access today to the prime minister. >> she would have discovered amongst the majority of my constituents, simply for her views on europe, for having suffered from centralized bureaucracy. we do not wish to have bureaucracy. >> i believe it is one to which it will appear to most and this

country. [indiscernible] >> this morning i chaired a meeting of the cabinet a quarter to one i had an audience with the majesty her queen. later this afternoon i shall lead to the government against the motion put down in the lead of the -- opposition. [indiscernible] >> order. >> those who share objectives, whatever the roles may be in recent weeks, [indiscernible] >> order.

>> from the great protection. happiness i -- and celebration of what has been, is, and will remain the greatest peace time, political rain. -- reign. [indiscernible] >> mr. speaker, the same person in a slightly different capacity will be able to serve written in whatever way. -- britain in whatever way. >> mr. speaker made pay tribute to the prime minister enter decision this morning. she should buy that she amounts to more than those who attend on

recent days. mr. speaker the honorable lady, i know considers the principle of choice to be extremely important and that is rightly so. the people of britain should now be given the power of choice in a general election. >> mr. speaker. may think the right honorable gentlemen for his early -- earlier questions, the answer is no. no more than when we had an election when mr. wilson changed mr. callan. >> mr. churchill is my writer -- is my right honorable friend aware that she deserves the gratitude of the entire nation? for her part in bringing to an end the soviets part in the arms race and bearing once and for all, the cold war, between the superpowers.

it is in that capacity but she will be remembered as the greatest peace time per minister, this country has ever had -- prime minister this country has ever had. >> i'm grateful to my friends, for his remarks. it was a great privilege to attend the conference in paris and assigned some of the agreements, as for the new csc who ushers in a new order in europe and i hope a very successful and peaceful one. >> may say to the prime minister that many of us recognize that she had to make a tough decision this morning. we believe she took the right one and took it with great dignity. >> may also say to her that no matter how wide our political division, no one can doubt the special style shows brought nor her courage conviction and determination. mr. speaker perhaps a my asked

to use this opportunity to offer the house and a use you may have for a successor -- any use you may have for successor. >> i think the honorable gentlemen -- think the. honorable gentlemen for his kindness. may reminder the house to expect to be here on tuesday afternoon and possibly even thursday afternoon. [laughter] so i hope the house will be as kind then as it is today. >> mr. speaker, i raise this matter, the government has played a central role in supporting the commission proposal, in enabling the community to table its offer, as the talks in geneva. >> jobs throughout europe can be

seriously affected by international trade war unless she produces a meaningful reform of the absurdly and costly pa p. the average cost per household of the cap is now 20 pence per week more than the total net cost per household. i would, if i may, except the measures -- accept the measures for the fantastic job she has done for the commonwealth, for freedom and democracy. >> mr. speaker i very much agree with my honorable friend jobs and prosperity depend upon getting for trade and we played up part in that at the last european council and in getting proposals. i will of course respond to my honorable friends invitation of reminding my colleagues who stand for election. let me say this to him, i shall remind to him -- remind him

whether they're standing for election or not. [laughter] >> with the prime minister agree with me? that it is essential with regards to decision, but our farmers, they need the protection that they deserve. which she also agree with me, give me assurance but she's given me in the past, that there is an awful, yet serious warning in that decision and those decisions for our fishermen. these have been the changes that the spanish and others would like to inflict upon the common fishermen? issue here to defend the fishermen -- issue here to defend the fishermen what she urge her successor for the defense. >> mr. speaker, i think for once

i can agree with the honorable gentlemen. i -- farmers are absolutely vital. we have therefore tried to increase the grass available to them. because we recognize the importance not only to farming, but to the rural areas. with regard to the fishery question. it has been one of the difficult community. we got a pretty good deal for our fishermen. we shall continue to do so. there is this vital question of the fishing boats pending. many people will be happy, when that is resolved. preferably to our own advantage. [indiscernible] >> he have looked over these years with the greatest admiration and design? >> i am grateful to achieve that

my honorable friend. we were in college together and have been together ever since. the honorable gentlemen's reply, asked the question. >> mr. speaker may be permitted to think the prime minister for many personal kindnesses which she has given over many years on both sides of the house? may i say how deeply concerned my constituents are, that she has left the place in such shambles? issue where -- is she aware that they are desperately aware of the deepening recession, about -- about educational -- [indiscernible] the prime minister indicates who she thinks should take a share in the blame for what is after all,

a conservative mass. >> here, here. >> the honorable gentlemen was a was a good advocate. can speak to any brief. i don't believe he believed the word of that. [laughter] >> does my friend not agree that the age of chivalry is gone? though she further not look with pride and satisfaction of those years, which is needed in this country? >> i think, mr. speaker, the age of chivalry will not have gone

so long as my honorable friend is remembered -- as a member of this house. yes, in response to the question, i look back with some pride and some satisfaction about achievements for our country over the last 11 and half years. i gave the honorable gentlemen a reply moments ago. >> i give the prime minister the gratitude of my constituents last friday and admiration for her courage that she visited the frontier. two of our soldiers were killed a short time ago. how is she -- issue convinced -- is she convinced for the welfare of the community and the bullishness that it would be to remove them and thus surrender

more territory? >> i am grateful to the honorable gentlemen. the checkpoints are very important to the confidence of the people who live in the area. that one was an example of the dangers to the army on the honorable gentlemen knows where taking every possible precaution to learn the lessons from that attack and i can only say that i went round the border areas where i can once again be very impressed by the bravery of our soldiers and policemen who work in those areas. >> is my right honorable friends considers, the advice of a former great prime minister could be extremely influential on issues of state, such as our future role in europe? our many friends in the house

and country, will she continued to champion -- [indiscernible] >> order! order! >> my question mr. speaker is directed to a great former prime minister. [indiscernible] will she was sure her many friends to the country that she will continue to camp ship -- champion the causes she had fought so for valiantly. and show willie -- and will she

raise her voice -- [indiscernible] >> my honorable friend, it had occurred to me, i believe we now have a policy for the future of europe behind which we can all unite and i believe that many, many people in other countries in europe, believe in the nations and corporations between those nations. >> >> after stepping down in premise or as 1990, margaret thatcher chose john major to replace her and continue conservative party rule for seven more years. then in 1997, the labor party and tony blair defeated the tories, winning a 179 seat majority. shortly after the election results, john major announced he would resign on the top post. morning. i have said most of what i

wanted to say had the opportunity of speaking last evening. there one of two things that would be appropriate to add this morning. it has been, an immense privilege to serve as prime minister of the united kingdom, over the last six and a half years. the privilege that comes to very few people and it is a precious privilege indeed. i hope, as i lay downing street this morning -- leave downing street this morning, that i can say with some accuracy the country is in far better shape than it was when i entered downing street. the economy is booming. interest rate are low, inflation is low, unemployment is falling. the health services expanding, the education services improving. and the crime statistics are falling. all of those, i think, are benevolent improvements in the interests of all the people of this country. i believe that the incoming government, to whom i repeat my

warm congratulations upon their success, the incoming government will inherit the most benevolent status, economic statistics, of any incoming government since before the first world war. i hope very much, and the interest of the whole british nation, that they are successful in obtaining the economy in the future. if i may, i would like to clear up one area of speculation, that i know has been brought up over the last few days. i have been, a member of parliament for 18 years. i have been a member of the government for 14 years. a member of the cabinet, for 10 years, and prime minister since 9090 -- 1990. when the curtain falls it is time to get off the stage. that is what i propose to do. i shall, therefore, advise my parliamentary colleagues, that i believe it would be appropriate for them to consider the selection of a new leader of the conservative party, to lead the

party through opposition during the years that lie ahead. this will take a little while to organize, parliament must meet and the members must make their own consideration of this matter. actually, i shall remain -- naturally actual main, service to the party during what will be a reasonably interregnum. i would like to add one final thought. during the six and half years that i have been in downing street, there have been a numeral personal kindnesses from huge numbers of people, many of whom i have never met and never heard from except by way of their individual kindness. i would like to take this opportunity of extending my thanks to them and the millions of people in the british nation who have given me the kindnesses to which i refer. i hope, if you will forgive me,

i will say no more this morning. i believe, i have an appointment with her majesty the queen in a few moments to tend to my resignation so the new government may then be formally appointed. i propose to see her majesty in just a few moments. i will say no more, after that, i hope that we will be able to get there in time for lunch and cricket this afternoon. thank you very much. >> tony blair served a decade as prime minister from 1997 to 2007. prime minister blair sobran through the death of princess diana and led the uk's response to the september 11 attacks on the world trade center. he faced criticism for his handling on his widely erected, which he addressed -- iraq,

which you dressed in his resignation speech. >> thank you very much. it is a great privilege to be here with you again and to thank all of you to for such a wonderful and warm welcome, especially maureen and her friends you gave me such a wonderful welcome. when i have come in, four more years i was thinking that is not on message per se. [laughter] i would just like to say if i might, just a special word of thanks to john burton john has been here for many years now, he is still the best political advisor that i have got. since i've known him he has been

steadfast in his loyalty to me, and the labour party and the football club, not necessarily in that order. we will not get into that. [laughter] it has been my great good fortune, at certain points in my life to meet exceptional people and he is one very exceptional person. also, if i may, refer to another exceptional person who is my wife, friend and partner, sharee. [applause] and the children of course, who make me never forget my failure, but give me great love and support. so, i have gone back here to my

constituency, where my political journey began and where it is fitting that it should end. today i announced my decision to stand down from the leadership of the labour party. the party will now select a new leader, on the 27th of june, i will given my resignation to the queen. i've been prime minister of this country for just over 10 years. in this job, in the world of today, that is long enough for me, but more especially for the country. sometimes, the only way you conquer the pull of power is to set it down. it is difficult to know how to make this speech. there is judgment to be made on my premiership. at the end it that is for you the people to make. i can only describe what i think

is being done over the last 10 years, and wife had to do it. -- why i try to do it. i never put it in this way before. i was born almost a decade after the second world war. i was a young man in social resolution -- revolution of the 60's and the 70's. i reached political maturity, as the cold war was ending. in the world is going through a political and economic and technological revolution. i looked at my own country, a great country, wonderful history, magnificent traditions, proud of its past. but strangely, uncertain of its future. uncertain about the future, almost, old-fashioned.

all of that was curiously symbolized in the politics of the time. you have choices, you stood for individual aspirations and getting on in life or social compassion and helping others. you are liberal in your values or conservative. he believed in the power of the state or the efforts of the individual. spending more money on the public realm was the answer or it was the problem. and none of it made sense to me. it was 20th century ideology in a world approaching a new millennium. of course, people want the best for themselves and their families. but in an age where human capital is the greatest asset, they also know it is just on sensible to extend opportunities, to develop the potential to succeed for all our

people, not just an elite at the top. people today are open-minded about race and sexuality. there were -- averse to prejudice, yet rightly, conservative when it comes to good manners, respect for others, treating people courteously. they acknowledge the need for the state and the responsibility of the individual. and they know spending money on our public services matter and they know it is not enough. how they are run and organize matters too. 1997 was a moment for a new beginning. the sweeping away of all of the past. and expectations were so high. too high probably in a way for either of us. now, in 2007 you can point to

the challenges or things that are wrong, or the grievances that fester, but back to 1997. think back. really, think back. think about your own living standards then in may 19 97 and now. busier local school. any of them around here, or anywhere in modern britain. you heard of pensioners freezing to death in the winter unable to heat their homes. there is only one government, since 1945 that can say all of the following. more jobs, fewer unemployed, better health and education results, lower crime and economic growth in every quarter. only one government, this one.

[applause] we don't need statistics, something bigger that can be measured -- something bigger than something that can be measured in lists. look at the economy, london the worlds of largest financial center. visit our great city in this country, compare them with 10 years ago. no country attracts overseas investments like we do. think about the culture in the year 2007. i don't just mean -- i mean our values, the minimum wage, paid

while you is a right. we have the best maternity leave in europe. equality for gay people. look at the debates that reverberate around the world today, the global movement to support africa and its struggle against poverty. climate change. the fight against terrorism. britain is not a follower today. britain is a leader. [applause] it gets the essential characteristic of today's world into dependence -- independence. from the myriad of unresolved problems and fresh challenges, is a country comfortable in 21st century -- in the 21st century,

able to not just be part of its past it also confident of its future. ireland -- northern ireland would have change unless britain changed. as for my own leadership, without -- through these 10 years, where the predictable has competed with the unpredicted, right at the outset, one thing was there to me. without the later party with desktop -- allowing me to leave, nothing would have it done. my duty was to put the country first. that much was already -- obvious to me when under 13 years ago, i became the labors leader. what i had to learn as prime

minister was what the country first met. decision-making is hard. everyone says listen to the people. the problem is you find, they don't always agree. [laughter] when you are in opposition, you see the roots in say why can't you do this and you say that is a good question. they say, great. you listen. you listen to the other group and they say, why can't you do that? you say, that is a good question. thank you. they always have your. in government, you have to give the answer. not an answer but the answer. in time, you realize that putting the country first does mean doing the right thing

according to conventional wisdom or the building consensus for the latest -- or the latest snapshot of opinion. it is doing what you genuinely leave -- believe is doing right. your duty up prime minister is to act according to your constituents and all of that -- so that people think that you act according to some messy video. , hesitation, reconsideration. these are good companions of proper decision-making but the obligation is to decide but sometimes the decisions are accepted quite quickly. bank of england is defended, which gave us our economic stability. sometimes, it is like tuition these are trying to break up

monolithic services. changes are controversial. you can see we are moving with a grain of change around the world and sometimes, like with europe, where i believe britain would keep its position strong. you know when you are trying to fight for your opinion but who are content in doing so and sometimes as with the completely unexpected, you are along with your instinct. in sierra leone and the ethnic cleansing in kosovo, i took the decision to make our country one that intervened, that did not pass by or keep out of the thick of it. and then the utterly unanticipated and dramatic september 11, 2001. the depth of 3000 in you

-- new york. i said -- stood strong -- i said i should -- we should stand shoulder to shoulder with our ally. removing sit-down -- saddam hussein and his sons from power and removing the telegram with relative ease. the blowback since from terrorism and the elements that support them has been pierced and unrelenting and costly -- fierce and unrelenting and costly force -- costly. for me, i think we must see it through. the terrorists who threaten us here and around the world will never give up we give up -- if we good of -- give up. it is a -- will and belief.

some things i knew i would be dealing with. some i thought i might be in some never occurred to me or to you -- and some never occurred to me or you. when i came to downing street for the first time, rate expectations -- great expectations unfulfilled for every part. occasionally, people say, the expectations were too high. you should have lowered him -- them but i would not have wanted to -- then any other way. i remain as a person and prime minister, an optimist. politics may be out of the possible, but in life, give the impossible ago --a go. [applause]

of course, the vision painted in the colors of the rainbow and the we only sketched in the dollar tones of black and white and gray. i ask you to accept one thing. hand on heart, i think what i thought was -- did what i thought was right. in -- need --i made -- [applause] may have been wrong -- may have

been wrong but i did what i thought was right for my country and i came into office are high hopes with britain's future and i leave us with even higher hopes for the future. this is a country that can be exciting -- people say to me it is a tough job. not really. a tough life is a life led by the disabled children and their parents who visit to be in parliament the other week stop -- week. -- actually, i have been lucky and very blessed. this country is a blessed lincoln -- nation. the british are special. the world knows it in our

innermost thoughts. we know it. this is the greatest nation on earth. [applause] it has been an honor to serve it. i give my thanks to you, the british people for the times that i have succeeded in my apologies to you where i have lost -- falling short, but good luck. --fallen short, but good lick -- luck. [applause] >> after the conservative party

-- brought an end to 13 years overall. here is a portion of district -- the speech he gave to supporters. >> there is nowhere privileged been to represent the people -- that you know and respect, to represent people that you -- perhaps not too much about you, to represent friends that we have made over 30 years along the way. it gives us -- and community castles and trade unions -- which taught me my first lessons that -- finance --of finance.

i will never forget the kindness you showed to us and the strength that you gave us, that 13 years ago this year at christmas time, our first child, jennifer, was born here and then dive 10 days later -- died 10 days later. we set up a fund and the contributions you made -- in the hospital in which she died. this is lifesaving research so that in the future, and fits like jennifer will not die. i am grateful for everything you have done to help me and my family over the years. some of you know that it was my intention -- after the scottish

referendum but there was unfinished business. i wanted to fight to ensure that the changes that we have promised and the new and stronger scottish parliament that we said web builder, i wanted it to be certain that these changes would happen and the new power will be in place before i make the decision to step down as a member of parliament. even after a week of speculation, -- it was a strange disgrace to read your always wearing before you retire. tomorrow, the newspapers -- will have a say in history while having said -- and history will have its say. it is the right thing to do.

[indiscernible] -- there -- >> prime minister david cameron, site -- decided to step down after campaigning to keep brixon in the e.u.. he started from 2014 2016. ---2016 . >> over 33 million people from england, scotland, wales, another island and gibraltar have had their say. in these islands, we trusted people with these decisions. we not only have a parliamentary de