Leaked Blair memo: key quotes

If the Daily Mirror is anything to go by, there’s been a leaked memo, covering Mr Blair’s step-away from public service. Apparently leaked by members of his advisory team, no one has stepped forward to confirm or deny it.

The prime minister’s legacy

“Time is not an unlimited commodity. His genuine legacy is not the delivery, important though that is, but the dominance of new Labour ideas … the triumph of Blairism.

“As TB enters his final phase he needs to be focusing way beyond the finishing line, not looking at it.

“He needs to go with the crowds wanting more. He should be the star who won’t even play that last encore. In moving towards the end he must focus on the future.”

Blair vs Brown

“There are specific issues which can provide opportunities and threats. They are: GB’s reaction … the more successful we are the more it will agitate and possibly destabilise him, we need to consider how to deal.”

Iraq

“We need to incorporate this into our media plan. It’s the elephant in the room, let’s face up to it … Most importantly, are we up for it? Is TB up for it?”

Blair’s last month

“Needs a daily grid, planned to the last detail.

“As much as possible a farewell tour, looking to the future, making sure the party is in the right place and the public remember him as he should be.”

Connecting with the people

“He needs to embrace open spaces, the arts and businesses, he needs to be seen to be travelling on different forms of transport. He needs to be seen with people who will raise eyebrows.

“He needs to travel around the UK to be carefully positioned as someone who while not above politics, is certainly distancing himself from the political village.

“He should be dropping references in all that he does which reflect his energy and enthusiasm.

“This needs to move on from ‘I’m getting on with the job’ to ‘this is a great job, I’m very lucky, I won’t have it one day and before that day comes I still have lots to do and say’.”

In charge until the last

“One where we make it clear that the PM will be spending his final period in office preparing Britain for its future challenges, setting out what they are and connecting with the public who gave him the chance to serve.”

Working with the PM and being seen in “iconic locations”

“In seeking to achieve this the whole operation should reflect the change in the political atmosphere.

“TB focusing on his priorities: TB laying the foundations for the future based on his experience in office.

“this positive approach needs to be reflected not only by TB but by all those who work and support him. We should show how much we enjoy working for TB, what pride we take in our work and how we want his premiership to end on a high.”

Above the political fray

“While we need to do what is required to defend the government and ensure a clarity of message, we should not be drawn into hand-to-hand combat.

“But if some of our own side are not prepared to accept this, and the Tories step up their attacks, then we will have to revisit … but this whole approach has been adopted to avoid that, so we should work on the basis that we will have achieved this.

“As ever, this is not rocket science, we know what works well: strong, policy-focused events which have substance, striking pictures, words from TB and real people involved.

“But it is essential that we do all we can in our message and planning to ensure that we do not get knocked off by events.”

Scotland and Wales

“Wales and Scotland – devolution despite the bumpy ride has been a success, TB should embrace this. His profile should be raised in the major urban areas in advance of the elections.”