The Prime Ministerial Farewell

The knowledge that Tony Blair is leaving office - and the pretty certain knowledge that his immediate successor will be Gordon Brown - is a near unique occurrence in British political history. We are not normally in the position of both knowing when a prime minister will leave office, or who his successor will be. This is more akin to the American system which has transition arrangements in place. Andrew Rawnsley, in the 'Observer' today, has an excellent piece on this consitutional anomaly, and its impact, entitled 'Blair's Long Goodbye'. Have a read.