Blair: Backing Brown

Tony Blair has paid tribute to his chancellor and promised fundamental reform to put more power into the hands of the people.

The prime minister used a speech in Edinburgh to reinforce the themes of the forthcoming general election campaign.

In his address to academics and business people at Napier's University, Blair said the pre-Budget report reinforced economic stability and opportunity.

The report, along with the Queen's Speech, laid out the ground on which the government will attempt to win a third term.

"Taken together, all of this gives us a rich agenda for future policy in any possible third term," Blair said.

"In every area of work there is a detailed plan for the future, much clearer than those in 1997 or 2001.

"All of it fits together around common themes of opportunity, security and stability for all," he said.

In an effort to stave off accusations that he is building an increasingly nannying state, Blair said of his emerging manifesto: "People no longer want or expect government to solve all their problems.

"They want the means in their hands to lead their own lives, make their own choices, develop their own potential."