By Prasun Sonwalkar, IANS
London : With a tear in his eye, Tony Blair left the House of Commons Wednesday afternoon on his last appearance during Prime Minister's Question Time as MPs from all parties gave him a prolonged standing ovation.
Conservative party leader David Cameron paid tributes to Blair's record in office, and chose not to score political points on the day. Instead, he wished Blair and his family well as emotion and bonhomie marked Blair's last day in the House of Commons. He also stands down as MP from Sedgefield constituency.
Cameron and other Conservative leaders admitted that they were glad to see him ride into the political sunset, and said Blair will be a hard act to follow. Blair has seen off several Conservative leaders during his decade in office, including William Hague, Ian Duncan Smith and Michael Howard.
MPs from all sides called a halt to the usual House of Commons hostilities to pay tribute to him. Blair admitted he had "never pretended to be a great House of Commons man" but he paid tribute to the "noble" work of MPs and – in his final words to parliament – said: "I wish everyone, friend or foe, well and that is that, the end."
He also paid tributes to troops killed in Iraq, saying he was "truly sorry about the dangers they face today".
Conservative leader David Cameron hailed Blair's "remarkable achievement" in being prime minister for 10 years, praising peace in Northern Ireland and Blair's work in the developing world which he said will "endure". He wished Blair "every success for whatever he does in the future".
Blair thanked Cameron for his tributes and said although he could not wish the Tory leader well politically, "personally I wish both him and his family very well indeed".
The Liberal Democrats leader, Sir Menzies Campbell, said that, despite their political disagreements, Blair had been "unfailingly courteous" and extended his party's best wishes to the outgoing prime minister and his family.
A battery of journalists had gathered outside 10, Downing Street to record every moment of the historic day. Blair emerged at the door with his family for photo opportunities before driving off to the Buckingham Palace to tender his resignation.
"We will not miss you at all", remarked Cherie Blair to the waiting media, reflecting the uneasy relationship the Blairs have had while in office. The Blair family included Leo, who was born during Blair's prime minister-ship.
Several protesters had gathered along the route from Downing Street to the Buckingham Palace with slogans criticising Blair's policy on Iraq. They included family members of British army personnel killed in Iraq. They wanted an early return of British troops.
Noting the thousands of Iraqis killed in Iraq, one slogan said: "How many more Gordon?"
–Indo-Asian News Service