Blair To Lead A United Britain Into The Millennium
Tony Blair has been swept into his Sedgefield constituency base on a tidal wave of fervour. Supporters joyously welcomed the man now set for 10 Downing Street.
Speaking at the Sedgefield Labour club, the birthplace of New Labour, Tony Blair told local supporters, "you gave me the chance to lead my party now you have given me the chance to lead my country."
Mr Blair talked of his determination to lead a unified nation into the next millennium. A country where "all walks of life and all classes" have united behind a "reborn and renewed" Labour party.
The Labour leader has pledged to make the National Health Service, once more the "pride of the nation". Talking of his vision to create a fairer Mr Blair has pledged to, "make the changes we know need to be made".
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John Burton, Tony Blair's agent
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Earlier Mr Blair was returned as the MP for Sedgefield, the seat he has held since 1983, on the night that sees Labour returned to office after 18 years in opposition. Mr Blair made an emotional speech in which he thanked his wife Cherie and his father, a former Conservative supporter, his agent John Burton and the people of Sedgefield.
Mr Blair spoke passionately "We are a great country. The British people are a great people. There is no greater honour than to serve them and serve them we will."
Referring to the massive industrial changes in his area with the end of mining and other heavy industries, Mr Blair said "This area has undergone dramatic change.
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Sedgfield Labour Club
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"All through there has been a spirit of unity and determination to take on
the challenge and work for the good of all the people of this constituency.
That is the spirit our country needs now because if we have been as
successful as the indications are that we have been - if we have done well - it
is a vote for the future.
"It is not a vote for outdated dogma or ideology of any kind. It is a vote for the end of divisions, the end of looking back. It is a real sense of pride that we have created a Labour Party today capable of offering that unity of purpose, that vision of renewal our country needs."
Mr Blair told the voters of Sedgefield, whom he described as "magnificent", that he would not "let them down. It is an honour to serve you and I feel this evening a deep sense of humility. You have put your trust in me and I want to repay that trust."
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