10 December to 16 December
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 saw the EU Council meeting and Budget deal, new ideas in the ‘Respect’ agenda and a reception for brave youngsters at Number 10…
Vital next step
Over the weekend an important UN summit on climate change reached agreement on fixing new emission targets from 2012. The PM said it was a vital next step in tackling environmental problems.
Mr Blair wrote an article for The Observer about his government’s Respect agenda. He said that the basic liberties of the law-abiding citizen should always come first as he previewed a new action plan on anti-social behaviour which will be published in January.
Festive feeling
On Monday the Danish Prime Minister Rasmussen visited Number 10 to continue the EU Budget discussions. On a visit to Harlow, the PM revealed new powers aimed at seizing cash from small-time drug dealers and criminals.
That evening, Mrs Blair switched on the Downing Street Christmas lights. This year’s tree was supplied by a grower from Harpenden, who delivered it to Number 10 earlier this month after winning a competition.
Question time
At this week’s PMQs, anti-social behaviour, education, drugs, transport and the NHS were among the topics covered. Mr Blair also spoke about why he had decided not to hold a full-scale public investigation in to the 7/7 bombings.
Lord Birt, one of the PM’s advisers left Number 10, on the day the Mr Blair published details of all his cabinet committees alongside his response to a report into standards in public life. The PM found time to meet some extraordinary children who were receiving bravery awards at Westminster Abbey.
Iraq and Europe
Iraq held democratic elections on Thursday, a move welcomed by Mr Blair as ‘extraordinary and uplifting’. The PM was speaking from Brussels, where he chaired the last Council meeting of the UK’s EU Presidency.
The European leaders reached an agreement on the future financing of the EU during the early hours of Saturday morning. Mr Blair said it was a good deal for Britain and gave Europe a chance to ‘move forward’.
Extra information
- The PM’s week December 3 to December 9
- The PM’s week November 26 to December 2
- The PM’s week November 19 to November 25
- The PM’s week November 12 to November 18
- The PM’s week November 5 to November 11
- The PM’s week October 29 to November 4
- The PM’s week October 22 to October 28
- The PM’s week October 15 to October 21
- The PM’s week October 8 to October 14
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