In one of the most commanding speeches he has delivered to conference, Mr Blair said winning the next election was the only legacy he wanted and promised to try to heal divisions at the top of the party after "a lot of talk about lies and truths these past few weeks".
To head off the calls for his early departure and avoid the suggestion he is a lame duck, after the speech officials briefed on the prime minister's final intray, including a 39-point programme focusing on security, which will be the centrepiece of the Queen's Speech.
The measures will include a criminal justice bill in the autumn, an immigration and nationality bill in the spring, and white papers on rail, energy and local government. There will be a renewed plan on child support, including proposals to improve opportunities for children in care.
During the speech, Mr Blair also promised to make peace in the Middle East his final priority.
Mr Blair appeared to be struggling to avoid tears as he received a rapturous send-off from delegates. But he bluntly told his party: "The truth is, you cannot go on forever. That is why it is right this is my last conference as leader. Of course it is hard to let go, but it is also right to let go; for the country and for you, the party." Mr Blair did not anoint Gordon Brown as his successor, but praised him.
In his final passage, he said he had always been a progressive and loved his party. He promised, "whatever you do, I'm always with you, head and heart. In the years to come, wherever I am, whatever I do. I'm with you. Wishing you well. Wanting you to win."