Blair's toughest week

Blair: faces a fight for his integrity

Tony Blair squares up for the toughest week of his premiership.

On Tuesday, labour rebels could vote against plans to raise university tuition fees - unless they are swayed by last minute concessions, the details of which will be announced today.
Then, on Wednesday, Lord Hutton delivers his report on the death of David Kelly.

Breakfast gave you a full analysis of the week's events with our dedicated panel of experts.

The author of Sultans of Spin and former BBC political correspondent Nick Jones discussed with James Humphries, a former government communications adviser.

Nick Jones thought Blair could be facing defeat:

I'm astonished at the vitriolic element. Tony Blair is reaching that point where he could be defeated. If Hutton is to be even handed some of the blame could be put on David Kelly, who is portrayed in the papers as a hero.

James Humphries had this to say about Blair's double whammy this week:

Brown is wading in to help Blair. If rebels want a change in leaders, they won't get a change in policy over tuition fees. Damage has already been done - Blair is not as trusted.

Breakfast's political correspondent Jo Coburn explained some of the background and looked ahead to what lies in store for Mr Blair.

This will undoubtedly be one of Tony Blair's toughest weeks - with that crucial vote on tuition fees and the publication of the Hutton report into the death of the weapons' scientist, Dr David Kelly. Both have the potential to cause Mr Blair some serious political trouble. The first test comes tomorrow, when MPs debate the contentious issue of university tuition fees. Initially, more than 150 Labour MPs vowed to vote against the Government. While that number has been reduced, it's still not clear whether the vote will go Tony Blair's way. Win or lose on tuition fees - Wednesday will throw up a fresh challenge - when Lord Hutton publishes his report into Dr Kelly's death. There are also PMQs, and at some stage Tony Blair will have to make a statement to the House on the Hutton report. He's likely to face difficult questions from Conservative and Liberal Democrat leaders. If he loses the vote on fees, or comes under attack from Lord Hutton - a vote of confidence may be the only way to restore faith in the government.

Also on the programme was Dr Ian Gibson MP, who told us why he is a tuition fees rebel:

"I'm a bit of a lost cause for the Whips."

The principle needs to be justified, the variability of charges is what is wrong. I think Blair will be PM for as long as he wants. I'm not being put under tremendous pressure, because I am seen as a lost cause. I have been writing about this for a year and a half. I think Universities need to be funded properly.

Breakfast will be following this story throughout the week, and will be returning to our guest panel on Friday