"Last time we did well with women, and Iraq was a factor then. In a sense, when I go, that goes with me," Blair said in an interview published in The Observer today.

Blair was asked if support for his party among women during the 2005 general election had dropped because of the war in Iraq, which has been unpopular in Britain.

Last year, amid falling poll ratings, Blair announced he would step down as Prime Minister within a year. He had previously indicated that he would not stand for office in the next general election, which must be held by May 2010.

"It wasn't really my desire last year to have a situation where all this uncertainty was created," he said. "There is always a debate about whether I was sensible to say I wouldn't fight a fourth election, though personally I think I'd have had a load of different problems if I hadn't." The Prime Minister and Chancellor will share a platform this week to outline a major rethink of the welfare state and cutting payments to single mothers among others.

Their joint appearance is being seen as a symbol of unity after days of infighting - likely to be further inflamed by suggestions from one senior Blairite this weekend that ministers resented Brown because "they don't want to operate in the world of the Gestapo."