The former Prime Minister, John Major, has pledged his support for some of the Government's policies -- but criticised Tony Blair's style of leadership.

Mr Major, who resigned as Conservative leader after losing the May 1 election, strongly backed efforts to bring peace to Northern Ireland.

He also said Labour was right to keep Britain out of the European single currency and praised Mr Blair for tackling reforms to the welfare state.

Speaking on BBC's Today programme, John Major said there was "no logical reason" why a final settlement on Northern Ireland could not be reached within months. He added that the current wave of violence in the province was "worrying ... but not surprising".

John Major tells BBC's John Humphrys why he supports Government's efforts to promote peace (1'40")

"The various parties in the talks are now coming up to some serious decisions. Tension is higher for that reason.

"It is fringe groups, not mainstream groups, who've returned to violence."

He added: "I had strong support from Labour during my activities to find a peace settlement and I have no intention of making life difficult for them. If I can help I will."

"I'm not opposing William"

On Europe -- an issue that has divided Tories -- Mr Major said he supported Labour's policies. "The economic case for proceeding with the single currency is weak.

"The criteria for beginning a single currency set out in the Maastricht Treaty have not been met and are not going to be met by 1999.

Mr Major tells Today programme why he supports thrust of Labour's policies on Europe (3'42")

"The British Government said they're not joining in 1999 and I have not a shred of doubt that they're right.

"The question is to what extent will they point out that other countries are wrong. I see no evidence the Government is going to argue this as rigorously as they should."

Mr Major refused to criticise his successor, William Hague, over his more sceptical stance on European integration. "I said we can't go in for a foreseeable period. William has decided the right thing to do is define this (as 10 years) ... I have no intention of being in opposition to him."

"Benefit cuts are macho"

The 54-year-old ex-PM backed Mr Blair for tackling welfare reforms but added that some of the ideas being floated were "unrealistic or unfair".

Former PM says Tony Blair is right to reform the welfare state but wrong on details (3'38")

Mr Major criticised proposals to cut some benefits. "You could have a Duke who had a non-working wife. She would not have her child benefit taxed.

"You can also have a dustman with a working wife, perhaps on modest incomes, and that working wife would have her child benefit taxed unless you aggregate incomes between the couple and end the independent taxation of women.

"The gain to the Treasury in taxing child benefit and breaching promises people were given about it being non-taxable is not worth the damage to the independent taxation of women.

"They've also produced some very macho ideas about disability benefit and they're approaching it in entirely the wrong way. The concept of cutting disability benefits is not sustainable politically."

"Blair undercutting ministers"

Mr Major said the so-called presidential style of Tony Blair was easy with a sympathetic media and a large majority. "But when the going gets rough he will find it's a different proposition.

John Major advises Tony Blair to take a more consensual approach to Cabinet (1'22")

"If he were wiser he would not, whenever there's a problem, say 'I'm taking personal charge' as it undercuts the positions of his cabinet ministers. And if cabinet ministers are not able to take charge of things they ought not to be in his cabinet."

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