Blair on way out, claims Howard

Mr Howard believes the prime minister has lost authority

Michael Howard has said Tony Blair is losing his grip on power and "does not have much time left" as prime minister.

"He and I are both on our way out," the outgoing Tory leader told MPs at prime minister's questions to loud laughter.

And he "advised" Mr Blair to focus on persuading Labour rebels to back his education reforms rather than arguing with the Tories who agreed with them.

Mr Blair hit back, saying: "When he wins an election then give some advice to someone who has won three."

'Opponents'

During a fiery exchange, Mr Howard quoted three Labour MPs who were opposed to Mr Blair's plans for secondary education, including one who had branded them "bonkers".

And he asked Mr Blair if he had the strength to "face down his opponents".

"He and I are both on our way out," said Mr Howard told MPs.

"He doesn't have much time left. He should not waste it abusing those who agree with him on these issues."

He said Mr Blair should "spend every minute he has got persuading those on his own benches who disagree with him."

'Accountable'

Mr Blair said he would not take advice from Mr Howard and vowed to press on with his reforms.

He pledged to give MPs a vote on his education plans, which include giving schools greater financial independence, adding "it may be tough but we will see it through".

Mr Blair, who last week suffered his first Commons defeat when 49 Labour MPs rebelled over terror detention plans, has pledged to serve a full third term before standing down.

Mr Howard has said Mr Blair's decision to pre-announce his retirement in this way is "alien to the whole nature of our parliamentary democracy" and "an entirely novel and unprecedented state of affairs".

"He is no longer accountable to the people. He cannot be thrown out," Mr Howard said in an article for The Guardian newspaper.

Gordon Brown

Meanwhile, Commons leader Geoff Hoon has said Chancellor Gordon Brown should be elected as Mr Blair's successor without a contest.

Mr Hoon played down suggestions Blair could go early but added: "I personally think he (Brown) is by far and away the best candidate, the only likely candidate.

"Ultimately, it is a matter for the (Labour) party to decide and arguably for an individual to decide whether he or she stands. "I can see real benefits... that given Gordon is the outstanding candidate to succeed, the easier that can be done and the smoother the transition for everyone."

He said Mr Blair's successor would need time to settle in as prime minister before the next general election, which is scheduled for 2010 at the latest.

Mr Brown has told friends it is up to Labour MPs, not him, to demand a timetable for Mr Blair to stand down as prime minister.