PM defies talk of retirement with reform agenda

Tony Blair will try to use a political meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday to bind Gordon Brown and ministers from the top to the bottom of the Government to a reforming agenda after he leaves office.

It is the Prime Minister's boldest step so far to commit the Government to delivering his legacy of reform.

Mr Blair, who will spend this week at Chequers preparing his final speech to Labour's conference in eight days' time, is under mounting pressure to confirm he will step down before the elections in May.

He will set up working parties to report within three months on the economy, public service reform, security and immigration, and international issues such as terrorism, aid, climate change and UN reform.

"He wants discussions with ministers across Whitehall and to establish a number of working parties to take this forward. The conclusions of this process will frame the outcomes of the comprehensive spending review and a number of major announcements between the Autumn and next Summer," said a senior Labour Party figure.

"The Prime Minister will make clear to colleagues this work has the potential for the Labour Party to prepare the ground for the fourth general election victory. He believes these themes are likely to be the key battleground for the next time the country goes to the polls." Officials said Mr Brown agreed on the strategy in talks with Mr Blair last week and Mr Brown's allies said he was "relaxed" about the move.

Mr Blair is also seeking a "consensual" approach to the future policy strategy. However, ministers last night questioned his motives. They said it will also be seen as an attempt to force Mr Brown - also accused by critics of being a "control freak" - to open up to more discussion among cabinet ministers.

Mr Brown has been at pains in recent days in telephone calls to ministers to emphasise that he will be listening to their opinions more when he takes over from Mr Blair.

John Burton, Mr Blair's agent, said Mr Blair had "no intention" of quitting the House of Commons immediately he stands down, causing a by-election in his Sedgefield constituency. "I don't think it has ever crossed his mind," Mr Burton said.

Senior Labour figures believe he will not go to the Lords, but like John Major will become an international speaker, possibly with his own foundation, like former US president Bill Clinton. Mr Blair could remain an MP until 2010, the latest date his successor could call a general election.

The Blairites continued to hold out the hope at the weekend that a Blairite challenger could be produced to weaken Mr Brown's hold on the crown. Suggestions that John Hutton or Tessa Jowell would be throwing their hats in the ring to oppose Mr Brown were not being taken seriously last night by senior ministers.