The beginning of the end for Blair?

For the past week, British newspapers have been dominated by the growing battle over Blair's resignation. With the Labour party conference approaching, Blair has been expected to give some hint about his plans for retirement and an orderly succession - but has been steadfastly refusing to do so. Add to that suggestions that he will hang on until next May, or even for another year, and leaked plans for a triumphal procession so he can go out in a "blaze of glory", and there is a lot of nervousness about his intentions. Now, that nervousness seems to have reached a tipping point. First, a group of normally loyal backbench MPs concerned about facing electoral oblivion because of the unpopularity of their leader signed letters calling on Blair to come clean about his departure date. Now, he's been hit by a wave of resignations from junior members of his government, who no longer wish to tie their futures to his. As a result, he's now expected to outline his departure plans later today.

The question is whether it will be soon enough. Local body and Scottish Parliamentary elections are scheduled for early next year, and with Blair now more hated than Thatcher was, Labour is facing a wipeout. Unless he makes it clear that he will be resigning sooner rather than later, Blair may find himself with no choice in the matter.