Tony Blair received a standing ovation from MPs of all parties today as he bid farewell to Parliament at his last ever prime minister’s question time.
Flanked by his successor, the chancellor, Gordon Brown, and his deputy, John Prescott, the outgoing premier said: “This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the house, I will have no such further meetings today - or any other day.”
Mr Blair gave an upbeat, and at times, lighthearted performance to an emotionally charged chamber.
With his wife, Cherie, and family watching from the gallery above, Mr Blair paid tribute to Britain’s troops, saying: “Whatever view people take of my decisions, I think there is only one view to take of them. They are the bravest and the best.”
David Cameron stepped aside from the usual party political arguments to pay tribute to Mr Blair’s “remarkable achievement of being prime minister for 10 years”and wish him well for the future.
Achievements
The Tory leader said: “For all of the heated battles across this dispatch box, for 13 years you have led your party, for 10 years you have led your country and no one can be in any doubt, in terms of the huge efforts you have made in terms of public service.
“You have considerable achievements to your credit, whether it is peace in Northern Ireland, whether it is your work in the developing world, which I know will endure. I'm sure life in the public eye has sometimes been tough on your family. So can I say on behalf of my party that we wish you and your family well, and we wish you every success in whatever you do in the future.”
Mr Blair returned the compliment, thanking the Tory leader and saying that despite their political differences, he had always found him “most proper, correct and courteous in your dealings with me”.
Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Menzies Campbell, said that, despite their political disagreements, Mr Blair had been "unfailingly courteous".
Ulster’s first minister, the Rev Ian Paisley, paid tribute to Mr Blair, for his role in the Northern Ireland peace process, and said he was now entering into "another colossal task".
The house fell silent as he added: “I hope that what happened in Northern Ireland will be repeated.”"
In Mr Blair’s final remarks to the Commons, the outgoing prime minister said: “I wish everyone, friend or foe, well and that is that, the end.”