Tony Blair has indicated that Gordon Brown is likely to replace him as Prime Minister within a matter of weeks. "Within the next few weeks I won't be Prime Minister of this country. In all probability, a Scot will become Prime Minister of the United Kingdom," Mr Blair told party supporters at a Labour rally in Edinburgh. His comments come on the day Mr Blair celebrates his 10th anniversary in office. Earlier, Mr Blair marked the occasion by promising a "definitive" statement to the British people next week on when he plans to leave Number 10.
With the party braced for a disastrous night at the polls on Thursday, Mr Blair is seeking to prevent disillusionment over his own premiership from overshadowing the arrival of his successor. There has been growing speculation Mr Blair will announce his resignation next week and then stand down towards the end of next month, with June 30 emerging as the favourite date.