Drew calls on Blair not to step down too late (From Gazette Series)

Drew calls on Blair not to step down too late

MP David Drew has denied claims made earlier this week that he has called for the Prime Minister to quit his job.

The Stroud Labour MP, speaking from Uganda, said he did not say Tony Blair should go.

Mr Drew told the Gazette: "Tony Blair has already said that he is going to step down this parliamentary term.

"What I said was if he does step down then I believe it should be a measured changeover not left to the last minute. Sooner rather than later."

However, Mr Drew did reiterate his comments about the treatment of Walter Wolfgang. The 82-year-old Labour supporter was ejected from the party's conference in Brighton last week after shouting "nonsense" while Foreign Secretary Jack Straw was making a speech about the Iraq war.

Mr Drew said: "Heightened security is affecting the way the conference is run."

Last year the Stroud Labour party passed a resolution calling for Tony Blair to stand down.

This week though, local Labour councillors have spoken out in defence of the Prime Minister and Mr Drew's recent comments.

Hilary Fowles, Labour councillor for Dursley said: "David hasn't said anything new. Tony Blair himself has said he'll step down this term.

"I think it would be bonkers for Tony Blair to step down now because it would be a distraction from the Conservative leadership debate."

Mr Drew has served the Stroud constituency for eight years after winning the seat during the 1997 Labour landslide. He has a majority of less than 300.

The 53-year-old, who lives in Stonehouse with his wife and four children, is currently visiting Uganda as part of his work with Christian Solidarity Worldwide, an organisation which looks at the way Christians are treated around the world.