19 November to 25 November
Here we reflect on some of the main business carried out by Tony Blair this week.
You will find a number of links within the text which will take you to the relevant story, transcript or photo gallery - as well as a few external links which you may find useful.
This week the PM has spoken about climate change, faced the Commons Liaison Committee, met the new German Chancellor and sent a warning to extremists.
Memories of Mo
On Sunday a memorial service was held for Mo Mowlam (opens in new window). The PM recorded a special video message in which he recalled his former cabinet colleague and friend, ‘not just with real affection and admiration but love.’
Over the weekend the PM also penned a newspaper article in which he said that Britain was ‘thinking globally and acting locally’ to tackle environmental problems. No single country could make a difference to climate change, he wrote, and all major countries needed to act.
Under the spotlight
Twice a year the PM appears in front of the Commons Liaison Committee (opens in new window). The PM answered questions this time for two and a half hours. Topics included public services, community cohesion and the Middle East.
During the session, Mr Blair said he wanted to send out ’strong signals’ to extremists who brought terrorism to the streets of the Britain. Questioned about climate change, he also said he was determined to take the right long-term decisions for the country.
Sorrow and sympathy
There were questions of a different kind for Mr Blair the following day as he faced his weekly PMQ session. Northern Ireland, flu jabs, energy supplies and gun crime were among the topics posed to the PM (opens in new window).
Mr Blair also expressed his sorrow and sympathy to the families of police officer Sharon Beshenivsky and soldier John Jones, both killed in the line of duty last week. Later, the PM also sent a message of congratulations to universities honoured in a new awards ceremony.
Meeting Merkel
During a busy Thursday, the PM chaired the weekly cabinet meeting, then held talks with Polish PM Marcinkiewicz, and attended a special Pakistan earthquake response meeting before holding discussions with new German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The PM then headed for Malta and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (opens in new window) where he met his Maltese and Pakistani counterparts.
The summit will discuss terrorism, trade, Africa and development.
On Friday, Mr Blair paid tribute to the footballer George Best who died at the age of 59, calling him ‘probably the most naturally gifted footballer of his generation’.
Mr Blair will also travel to Spain this coming weekend for the Euromed summit…
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