Ovation as Blair leaves Commons

Tony Blair received a rapturous standing ovation from MPs after his final prime minister's question time.

The outgoing premier paid tribute to the Commons in his final public words on his last day in office, and described politics as the "pursuit of noble causes".

Answering his final question, he said: "I never pretended to be a great House of Commons man. But I can pay the House the greatest compliment I can, that I never stopped fearing it.

"That tingling appreciation I felt at three minutes to 12 today, I felt as much 10 years ago and every bit as acute. And it is in that fear that the respect is contained."

He added: "To all my colleagues from different political parties: Some may belittle politics - we know, who are engaged in it, that it is where people stand tall.

"Although I know that it has its many harsh contentions, it is still the arena that sets the heart beating a little faster and if it is on occasions the place of low skulduggery, it is more often the place for the pursuit of noble causes.

"And I wish everyone, friend or foe, well. And that is that, the end."

Effective

Father of the House Alan Williams, who has represented Swansea West since 1964, had been chosen by the Speaker to ask the final question.

He said of Blair: "He is one of the outstanding prime ministers of my political life time, and without doubt the most politically effective prime minister this party has ever had.

"May I thank him for leading us out of 18 years of wilderness life in the opposition benches, for leading us successfully to three general elections, for giving us 10 years of government with more to come.

"Under him the party has once again become a natural party of government."

Cameron

David Cameron paid tribute to Blair's "remarkable achievement being prime minister for 10 years".

The Conservative leader said "for all of the heated battles across this despatch box... no one can be in any doubt in terms of the huge efforts he has made in terms of public service".

Cameron particularly pointed to the outgoing premier's work in Northern Ireland and the developing world as "considerable achievements" which will "endure".

He also acknowledged that "life in the public eye has sometimes been tough" and wished Blair and his family "every success in whatever he does in the future".

Blair thanked the Tory leader for his "very generous sentiments".

He added that for all their "political disagreements" Cameron had always been "proper, correct and courteous" in their dealings.

He said that "while I cannot wish him well politically" he would extend best wishes "personally I wish both him and his family very well indeed".

Campbell

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell praised Blair for being "unfailingly courteous" throughout his time in office.

While there had been political disagreements "not least upon Iraq", Sir Menzies added: "As he leaves office may I on behalf of my colleagues extend our very best wishes to him and his family."

Blair acknowledged the "differences we have had politically" but commended the Lib Dem leader for his "generosity of spirit and courtesy".

Former home secretary David Blunkett thanked the prime minister for "transforming the lives of so many people" in his constituency, Sheffield Brightside, and across the country.

He said record police numbers, tougher sentences for the most dangerous criminals, zero tolerance for anti-social behaviour was "precisely what he meant by being tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime".

Paisley

Democratic Unionist Party leader Rev Ian Paisley paid tribute to the departing prime minister's work in Ulster.

He said that in Northern Ireland "we have made progress".

"He's entered another colossal task [in the Middle East]," the unionist leader added.

"I hope that what happened in Northern Ireland will be repeated and at the end of the day he will be able to look back and say it was well worth while."

Floods

Earlier, Cameron had questioned Blair on the response to the widespread floods in Britain this week.

He asked the prime minister to ensure that the emergency services "have all the support they need and that local authorities under the greatest pressure get all that they require".

Blair sent his "condolences" to the families of the four people who have been killed.

He said the government had increased funding "for our coastal defence protection to somewhere in the region of £600m a year now" but warned that this might have to be increased.

He added that councils will also be able "to get reimbursed for the costs they have got".

"We will of course do everything we can" to help, he promised.