Tony Blair yesterday gave a fresh hint that he is ready to quit soon after the general election.

　　He admitted his popularity in the country had become an "issue". And he added that as soon as he was no longer contributing to the Labour government he would go.

　　Mr Blair has pledged not to stand again if he wins a historic third term in the election expected in May.

　　That announcement prompted speculation that he will quit early, possibly as soon as autumn 2006.

　　In yesterday's interview with The Observer there was no repeat of pledges to serve a full third term.

　　And he said: "I am an issue. I always will be." He insisted he still had the strength to go out and show what Labour had achieved but also talked about stepping down.

　　He said: "It's important always not to do the job unless you feel you have got something to contribute." It was for others to make that judgment - "there's no point me going on about it myself".

　　Mr Blair was also concerned that the "compensation culture" made teachers, health workers and others fear being sued for any accident.

　　Calling for "real debate about risk" he added: "We are in danger of ending up spending hundreds, sometimes millions, of pounds meeting quite a small risk when that money would be far better used in other ways."