This is the text of the report into the UK Labour Party’s 2015 election defeat.
The report, titled Learning the Lessons From Defeat, was compiled by Margaret Beckett, a former minister in the Blair and Brown governments.
Beckett held the post of Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs between 2006 and 2007. She was a member of the House of Commons from 1974 until 1979, and has been the Labour member for Derby South since 1983.
Tony Blair has announced that he will relinquish the British prime ministership on June 27.
Addressing his party members and supporters in his Sedgefield constituency, Blair confirmed his departure after ten years. He became Prime Minister on May 2, 1997.
Listen to Blair’s Resignation Announcement (20m)
Listen to Blair and Opposition Leader Cameron in the House of Commons (May 9 – 3m)
Text of Prime Minister Tony Blair’s Resignation Announcement.
I have come back here, to Sedgefield, to my constituency. Where my political journey began and where it is fitting it should end.
Today I announce my decision to stand down from the leadership of the Labour Party. The Party will now select a new Leader. On 27 June I will tender my resignation from the office of Prime Minister to The Queen.
I have been Prime Minister of this country for just over 10 years. In this job, in the world today, that is long enough, for me but more especially for the country. Some times the only way you conquer the pull of power is to set it down.
This is the Labour Party’s manifesto for the 2005 United Kingdom General election.
The election was held on May 5, 2005.
Led by Prime Minister Tony Blair, the Labour Party won its third consecutive victory against the Conservative Party. The Conservatives were led by Michael Howard.
This is the UK Labour Party’s Election Manifesto for the 2001 General Election.
Prime Minister Tony Blair’s Labour Party secured its second consecutive landslide victory at the General Election on June 7, 2001. Labour won 413 seats, 5 less than in 1997. The Conservatives, led by William Hague, won 166 seats, up 1. The Liberal Democrats, led by Charles Kennedy, won 52 seats, up 6.