Farewell Tony B, it's been fun watching you carve up the opposition on "Questions with the Prime Minister". You've been a good friend and ally for all the good guys of this world. ~JF

*Edited from BBC

Tony Blair has announced he will stand down as prime minister on 27 June.
He made the announcement in a speech to party activists in his Sedgefield constituency, after earlier briefing the Cabinet on his plans.

He acknowledged his government had not always lived up to high expectations but said he had been "very blessed" to lead "the greatest nation on earth".

He will stay on in Downing Street until the Labour Party elects a new leader - widely expected to be Gordon Brown.

Mr Brown, who is expected to launch his leadership campaign on Friday, paid tribute to Mr Blair, saying: "I think I spoke for millions when I said at Cabinet today that Tony Blair's achievements are unique, unprecedented and enduring."

He said people would remember "how he led the country after 7 July, how he responded for the world after 11 September in America, how he responded to the tragic death of Princess Diana".

He said Mr Blair's legacy would also be better public services and a strong economy adding "Britain's reputation in the world is stronger than ever before. At all times he tried to do the right thing".

US President George W Bush said he would "miss" Mr Blair.

"He is a political figure who is capable of thinking over the horizon. He's a long-term thinker," said Mr Bush.

"I have found him to be a man who's kept his word which is sometimes rare in the political circles I run in."

'High expectations'

Earlier, in an emotional speech, Mr Blair said he had been prime minister for 10 years which was "long enough" for the country and himself.

He thanked the British people for their support and apologised for when "I have fallen short".