Tony Blair exited the Commons today to a standing ovation from all sides of the crowded chamber as he signed off as Prime Minister, telling MPs: "I wish everyone, friend or foe, well. And that is that. The end."
Gordon Brown will address Britain as Prime Minister for the first time today. Image: Getty Images.
An emotional-looking Mr Blair was given a two-minute ovation after conceding he had never been "a great House of Commons man" but had always feared and respected it.
The departing PM ended his decade in power hailing politics as "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," he added.
"And I wish everyone, friend or foe, well. And that is that. The end."
In a final question time tribute to the departing Premier, Father of the House, Labour's Alan Williams hailed him as Labour's "most politically effective" Prime Minister.
Wishing him every success for the future, Mr Williams (Swansea W) said: "You and I have not always agreed on policy matters but I have to say to you, quite genuinely, you are one of the outstanding Prime Ministers of my political lifetime and without doubt the most politically effective Prime Minister this party has ever had.
"May I thank you for leading us out of 18-years of wilderness life on the Opposition benches, leading us successfully through General Elections, for giving us 10-years of Government - with more to come.
Prime Minister Tony Blair waves as he walks out of Number 10 Downing Street
"Under you the party has once again become a natural party of Government," he added to loud Labour cheers.
Thanking him, Mr Blair said he wanted to finish with two brief remarks.
"Firstly, to this House: that I have never pretended to be a great House of Commons man but I can pay the House the greatest compliment I can by saying that from first to last I never stopped fearing it and that tingling apprehension that I felt at three minutes to twelve today I felt as much 10 years ago and every bit as acute.
"It is in that fear that the respect is contained."
Mr Blair added: "The second thing I would like to say is about politics, and to all my colleagues from different political parties: some may belittle politics but we know, who are engaged in it, that it is where people stand tall and although I know 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 and foe, well and that is that. The end."
The packed Commons chamber then rose to its feet with MPs on all sides - and those in the public galleries - giving Mr Blair an unprecedented farewell ovation.
Only Robin Cook, after his resignation speech over Iraq, has received any sort of standing ovation in the chamber in recent history.
As Mr Blair left the chamber he was clapped on the back by his successor Gordon Brown before shaking hands with Speaker Michael Martin.
In light-hearted exchanges earlier, Mr Blair revealed the contents of a letter which had arrived yesterday by urgent messenger.
He flourished a form, reading: "Details of employee leaving work. Surname: Blair; first name: T. It said actually: Mr, Mrs, Miss or other. This form is important to you, take good care of it. P45."