Major: Good nature and dignity

Ashdown:Getting a laugh

Ashdown tribute to John Major

Major bows out of Prime Ministers Questions

The Prime Minister and the Liberal democrat leader Paddy Ashdown both paid tribute to Mr Major, who from Thursday will return to the back benches, as the new leader of the Conservative Party takes up the reins.

Blair:Reporting on summit

Prime Minister on Majors departure

Mr Blair wished the former Prime minister well, saying that however strong their clashes, he had always behaved with good nature and dignity.

Mr Ashdown praised him as the fourth longest serving Prime Minister of the century, saying he had led the country in time of war, given Ireland a chance of peace, and was the only leader of the Conservative party who could have kept them together for the past three or four years.

Report back on Amsterdam

On the single currency, the Prime Minister said he had made clear the entry conditions had to be "strictly applied" if monetary union was to go ahead successfully. "We have proved to the people of Britain that we can get a better deal by being constructive and we have proved to Europe that Britain can be a leading player, setting a new agenda that faces the real challenges of the new century."

Botched and incomplete negotiations.