Blair 'avoiding' tough issues at home

Blair said terrorism and Europe were key challenges

Tony Blair has been criticised for issuing a gloomy New Year forecast about threats to Britain from international terrorism and the troubled world economy.

The Conservatives have accused the UK Prime Minister of trying to divert attention from domestic problems.

I do get a faint feeling that he is trying to divert attention

Michael Ancram, Conservative deputy leader

In one of his most downbeat annual bulletins, Mr Blair cited Iraq, al-Qaeda, the Middle East and North Korea as concerns which would exacerbate problems in faltering world markets.

But the deputy leader of the Conservative party, Michael Ancram, said voters were more interested in Labour's "failure to deliver" on the domestic front.

These included "crises" in the health service, schools, law and order and pensions, he said.

"I do get a faint feeling that he is trying to divert attention away on to the international side... from all the problems there are going to be domestically for him."

Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy urged Mr Blair to ensure that UN inspectors had time to establish the truth about Iraq's weapons programmes, before taking any decision on military action.

He also urged him to "pay more attention to what is happening here at home".

After nearly six years of a Labour Government, where are the real improvements for our schools, hospitals and public transport system?

Charles Kennedy, Lib Dem leader

And Labour veteran Lord Healey warned Mr Blair against repeating the "disastrous" decision of Tory Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden, who went to war in the Middle East over Suez in 1956, at a time of similar international tension.

In his speech, Mr Blair said the government was determined to tackle its problems head-on.

"I cannot recall a time when Britain was confronted, simultaneously, by such a range of difficult and, in some cases, dangerous problems," he said.

Mr Blair: Saddam Hussein may have to be disarmed by force

He cited his "twin concerns" as world security and the world economy, but said Britain was "well placed" to cope.

Mr Blair said: "Whether we survive and prosper or decline in the face of this insecurity depends crucially on the political decisions Britain now takes."

He said the UK's leading role in the war on terror did not mark it out as a particular target for al-Qaeda.

"The only way to stop being a target is to stop the terrorists," he said.

President Saddam Hussein must be disarmed because failure to do so "would make the world a very dangerous place in the future".

"If he does not seize it he will have to be disarmed by force," said Mr Blair.

Failures admitted

On Europe, Mr Blair said Britain must continue to play a leading role, and joining the euro was Britain's most key decision for a generation.

Whether we survive and prosper or decline in the face of this insecurity depends crucially on the political decisions Britain now takes

Tony Blair

The political case for joining was "overwhelming" but a referendum would only be called if the economic case was made.

At home, Mr Blair said public sector investment must continue.

"Real progress" had been made in improving health and education.

But he accepted there had been failures in transport, too little capacity in the NHS, too many failing secondary schools and poor conviction rates for criminals.

The speech was written before he headed off for a Christmas break to Egypt.