PM to make his final farewell to No 10

TONY BLAIR will finally bid farewell to No 10 today after his last appearance at the Commons Despatch Box.

Mr Blair will face MPs for his last Prime Minister’s Questions at noon. Labour MPs are bound to give Blair a rousing send-off before he heads back to Downing Street to thank his staff, and maybe share a glass of champagne with them in the Cabinet room.

His most loyal lieutenants are leaving with him — chief of staff Jonathan Powell, director of communications David Hill, and Prime Minister’s official spokesman Tom Kelly.

Shortly after 1pm, Mr Blair — accompanied by his wife Cherie — will walk to the entrance lobby of No 10. Staff will line the walls to applaud him out of office.

Mr Blair will face photographers and TV cameras before making the five-minute drive to Buckingham Palace. There, he will tender his resignation to the Queen. Mr Blair and his wife will then be swept out of the palace to an unknown destination — probably Chequers.

Minutes later, Gordon Brown will emerge from the Treasury to be taken in convoy to the palace. There, the Queen will invite him to form a government.

Mr Brown will be driven back to 10 Downing Street.

Once inside, he will begin the process of forming his cabinet and the rest of his government.