Seize historic chances urges Blair

Tony Blair meets members of a young peoples group in Swansea

Prime Minister Tony Blair has told the Welsh Labour conference that the party has the "historic opportunity" to realise ambitions held for generations.

Describing Welsh Assembly First Minister Rhodri Morgan and Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy "a great team", Mr Blair said members had already achieved its aims of introducing a minimum wage and devolution.

First time I've known Jeremy Paxman to be lost for words. You should teach me the trick Rhodri

Prime Minister Tony Blair

"We are very nearly there and we will get there on the last task, making sure there are no more hereditary peerages," he added.

In Swansea, Mr Blair said that the partnership between the UK government and the assembly was for the benefit of Wales.

Applauding Mr Morgan as "both a leader of principle and a unique character", he recalled the time when the First Minister had gone on the BBC's Newsnight, was asked whether he would be standing as Labour leader in Wales, and replied "Do one legged ducks swim in a circle?"

Mr Blair said: "First time I've known Jeremy Paxman to be lost for words. You should teach me the trick Rhodri".

Blair described Rhodri Morgan as a "unique character"

Referring to the announcement last month of more than 3,000 steel jobs at plants across Wales, he urged Corus to "think again".

Having met with steelworkers earlier on Friday, he said Corus had been urged to listen to the plan drawn up by unions.

He told the conference it was a proposal was "not based on sentiment but hard headed commercial interest.

"We are ready to help in any way we responsibly and legally can," he added.

The Corus work force, he said, was "part of Britain's future, not Britain's past".