By Prasun Sonwalkar, IANS
London : It is said that generals never retire – but what about prime ministers? As British Prime Minister Tony Blair begins his last week in 10, Downing Street – he is due to step down next Wednesday – speculation is rife on what role he will take on next.
A team of four close advisors is reported to be working on his post-retirement career.
Among the possibilities discussed so far are: a roving ambassador for Africa and the Middle East, a speaker on the lucrative American lecture circuit, heading a charity organisation for Africa or taking over as the first president of the European Union.
But even before stepping down from office, Blair has already begun a career in acting. He plays the role of a future prime minister in "Global Cool", a film on climate change. Directed by Indian director Shekhar Kapoor, the film includes a cameo role by Indian film icon Amitabh Bachchan.
A trailer of the film was premiered at the recent IIFA Awards ceremony at Sheffield. Kapoor has directed Blair in the film that is expected to be released later this year.
Blair said: "I've been preparing for this role for the last 10 years. It was great to be part of Global Cool. But remember, I was only one of a billion people saving the planet in this movie – and they are all stars."
Bachchan remarked: "I was sceptical to say the least, but when he came and auditioned for us I was amazed."
This week will see Blair chairing his final cabinet meeting in Downing Street on Thursday. He will then make his valedictory appearance on the international stage when he attends the EU summit in Brussels.
He will finally draw down the curtain on a decade in power on Wednesday of next week – June 27 – when he tenders his resignation to the Queen and hands over the reins of power to Gordon Brown, currently the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
The four trusted confidantes charting a post-retirement path for Blair have already been dubbed in the corridors of Westminster as the Gang of Four. The four have reportedly held a number of private dinners in London this year to help Blair map out a career plan after he leaves office.
The four-member group is said to headed by Baroness Sally Morgan, who was one of the prime minister's most important advisers in Downing Street until she left in 2005 to spend more time with her family.
The other three advisors are said to be entrepreneur Charles Dunstone, Russell Chambers, an investment banker who has taken holidays with the Blair family and Roland Rudd, a leading public relations figure.
Blair may or may not go on the lucrative American lecture circuit, but he is likely to focus on raising funds for his new Blair Foundation, a charity organisation that will fund humanitarian work in Africa. He has also reportedly agreed to a request from US President George Bush to periodically fly into the Middle East as a special envoy.
The Daily Telegraph quoted what it called an authoritative source in 10, Downing Street as saying: "He is passionate about Africa. The foundation will come first. It will finance the important work that Tony wants to do in Africa. The money will come in from supporters and philanthropists. There are many people out there who want to help."
Meanwhile, French President Nicolas Sarkozy is reported to have suggested making Blair the president of the European Union. He has discussed the proposal with other leaders of the EU before next week's EU summit in Brussels.
However, an official spokeswoman denied reports of Blair taking over as the EU president. She said: "The prime minister has made it clear that he is not going to return to front-line politics."