LONDON (AFX) - Prime Minister Tony Blair said he is confident a future Labour government could win a referendum on the euro, and asserted he will be Prime Minister for the full duration of the next parliament, the Financial Times reported.
In an interview with the newspaper, Blair said a "yes" vote on the euro is winnable, "provided you mount the argument well, provided we are setting out why it is economically and politically in Britain's interest."
He acknowledged that the Treasury is the "guardian" of the five economic tests to be met before a referendum is called, but denied this amounts to Chancellor Gordon Brown making the final decision alone. "I am sure myself and the chancellor would discuss it very carefully... you take the decision collectively as a government," Blair said.
He also made clear he will serve as Prime Minister for the duration of the next parliament, seeking to quash the long-standing rumour he will stand down early in favour of Brown.
Blair has previously said he is "standing" for a full parliament, a form of words deemed ambiguous. Asked if this means he will stay in Number 10 for the whole parliament, he said: "That's exactly what it means."