PM holds election strategy briefing

Cabinet ministers gathered for their first meeting since Tony Blair declared he would quit as Prime Minister within a year.

At the "political Cabinet" in 10 Downing Street, Mr Blair briefed them on his plans for a policy review over the coming months to set Labour on the road for a fourth general election victory.

The PM wants the findings of four working groups on economic competitiveness, public services, security and migration and foreign policy to shape next year's Comprehensive Spending Review and provide a blueprint for Labour's manifesto in 2009-10.

Although aides insist that Chancellor Gordon Brown supports the review, it is thought that some within the party see it as an attempt by Mr Blair to secure his legacy by tying the hands of his successor.

It raises the prospect of revived infighting at Labour's annual conference in Manchester next week, which Mr Blair has declared will be his last as leader.

He was forced into the announcement earlier this month by what was seen by many observers as a botched coup attempt.

Sitting around the Cabinet table were not only Blair's expected successor Mr Brown but also others tipped as possible rivals to the Chancellor for the leadership, including Education Secretary Alan Johnson and Home Secretary John Reid.

Mr Reid appeared to rule himself out of a bid for the top job on Tuesday, saying he had "no personal ambition to attain any other high office".

Mr Blair also briefed Cabinet colleagues on the themes of his conference speech, which he has already told them will tackle the issues which must be addressed if Labour is to be as successful for the decade after he departs as it has been since 1997.

Next week's conference is seen as a crucial moment in deciding whether Blair can engineer the kind of orderly transition to the next leader, which will put Labour in a good position to win the next General Election.