Blair's message touts New Labor policies

LONDON, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair is urging his successors to stick with his New Labor philosophy.

In his final New Year message as prime minister, Blair said the the Labor Party is "dominating the battle of ideas," the Independent reported. "It will continue to do so provided it continues to be New Labor," he said.

The newspaper said Blair's New Year message was issued while the prime minister vacationed at the Florida home of Bee Gee singer Robin Gibb.

Blair said he would use his remaining months in office to strive for the restoration of power-sharing in Northern Ireland and work towards restarting the Middle East peace process, the newspaper said.