nds76
12-31-2005, 6:30pm
LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Tony Blair, who faces a rebellious party and a revitalised opposition in the New Year, said on Saturday 2006 would bring tough, critical decisions that would shape Britain's future for generations.
In his New Year's message, Blair vowed to press on with controversial reforms to education, pensions and energy policy that could test his authority and define his legacy.
"2006 is a year in which critical decisions have to be got right if we are to sustain prosperity and fast-improving public services for the long-term," he said in a televised address.
"We face big choices which will decide how prepared we are for the challenges of the future," he added, mentioning education, health and energy reforms.
He also said Britain would not let its "resolve slip" in fighting terrorists -- like those who attacked London on July 7 -- and bringing stability to Afghanistan and Iraq.
Blair won a third straight term in May but his parliamentary majority was reduced, partly due to anger over the Iraq war -- the most politically damaging decision of his premiership.
His announcement that he would not seek a fourth term has emboldened rebels in his Labour Party and weakened his authority, at a time when the Conservative Party is starting to look more credible under new, youthful leader David Cameron.
In his New Year's message, Cameron said this was an "exciting time" to be a Conservative.
OPPOSITION TO REFORMS
Defeat for Blair on key legislation or narrow victory with the help of Conservative votes could damage him.
Blair has said he will serve a full third term but most analysts expect him to stand down within two years. Chancellor Gordon Brown is tipped as his most likely successor.
Scores of Labour lawmakers have already registered opposition to education reforms, to be published early in 2006.
The government is also set to announce this year how it plans to resolve a pensions crisis and whether it will commission a new generation of nuclear power stations.
"None will be easy, all will have to balance what is best for the future of the country with what is affordable now," Blair said.
Blair stressed that Britain's economic strength would help it survive global challenges. He celebrated agreements on increasing global aid and on tackling global warming during his chair of the Group of Eight industrial nations in 2005 as well as London's successful bid for the 2012 Olympics.
He said the challenge for 2006 was to boost aid further and bring World Trade Organisation negotiations to a successful end.
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/31122005/325/blair-says-2006-year-critical-decisions.html
In his New Year's message, Blair vowed to press on with controversial reforms to education, pensions and energy policy that could test his authority and define his legacy.
"2006 is a year in which critical decisions have to be got right if we are to sustain prosperity and fast-improving public services for the long-term," he said in a televised address.
"We face big choices which will decide how prepared we are for the challenges of the future," he added, mentioning education, health and energy reforms.
He also said Britain would not let its "resolve slip" in fighting terrorists -- like those who attacked London on July 7 -- and bringing stability to Afghanistan and Iraq.
Blair won a third straight term in May but his parliamentary majority was reduced, partly due to anger over the Iraq war -- the most politically damaging decision of his premiership.
His announcement that he would not seek a fourth term has emboldened rebels in his Labour Party and weakened his authority, at a time when the Conservative Party is starting to look more credible under new, youthful leader David Cameron.
In his New Year's message, Cameron said this was an "exciting time" to be a Conservative.
OPPOSITION TO REFORMS
Defeat for Blair on key legislation or narrow victory with the help of Conservative votes could damage him.
Blair has said he will serve a full third term but most analysts expect him to stand down within two years. Chancellor Gordon Brown is tipped as his most likely successor.
Scores of Labour lawmakers have already registered opposition to education reforms, to be published early in 2006.
The government is also set to announce this year how it plans to resolve a pensions crisis and whether it will commission a new generation of nuclear power stations.
"None will be easy, all will have to balance what is best for the future of the country with what is affordable now," Blair said.
Blair stressed that Britain's economic strength would help it survive global challenges. He celebrated agreements on increasing global aid and on tackling global warming during his chair of the Group of Eight industrial nations in 2005 as well as London's successful bid for the 2012 Olympics.
He said the challenge for 2006 was to boost aid further and bring World Trade Organisation negotiations to a successful end.
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/31122005/325/blair-says-2006-year-critical-decisions.html