Big news always seems to break when I start a new job

Big news always seems to break when I start a new job. Black Monday, 19 October 1987, when the London stock market crashed, was my irst day as a BBC News trainee. Late morning is the pre erred time o day, and like a boxer challenging his opponent to go a ew more rounds, and knowing that the assembled hacks like their lunch, Mr Blair normally says soon a ter 1pm: "Right, how many more questions? Two? Three?"There is no seating plan but the BBC's political editor, Nick Robinson, and his predecessor Andrew Marr, tend to occupy the prime location at the ront o the pack.. The con erences are broadcast li e and in ull on the 24-hour news channels, e en though they can last or more than an hour.The date is not ixed more than a ew days in ad ance.

Reporters in ariably pitch questions in se eral parts, but are generally limited to one question each, and there is little o the persistent questioning or heat that can characterise lobby brie ings by the Prime Minister's o icial spokesman.Mr Blair stands alone, but occasionally gi es reporters a computer PowerPoint presentation, irst using the technology in 2004. But he knows that the journalists will want to pursue their own agenda on whate er is the burning issue - or crisis - o the moment.The Prime Minister chairs the press con erences personally, picking out senior national correspondents and writers, representati es rom oreign media and the regional press. A ew - normally broadcasters with an eye to their own bulletins - come back to challenge the Prime Minister's answers. Reporters do not submit details o the questions in ad ance, and Mr Blair does not control the topics discussed.

He makes an opening statement, o ten about the progress he says has been made in deli ering the Go ernment's agenda. The elaborate, wood-panelled room, with its aulted ceiling, was designed by Sir John Soane and is used or state banquets It accommodates around 80 journalists. Mr Blair stands behind a lectern, o ten clutching a mug o tea - deli ered by a Downing Street aide - as he addresses reporters A pen lies in ront o him, although he rarely uses it. He makes a point o calling reporters by their irst names. The con erences are an inno ation by Mr Blair, dating rom a time when there was a general mo e to open up the lobby process He can ace questions on any topic. This photograph - taking at his most recent press con erence in early August - pro ides a PM's eye iew o the state dining room in Downing Street as reporters, rom both newspapers and broadcast media, gather to put him on the spot. His holiday o er, Tony Blair will return to prime ministerial duty this week, among his upcoming challenges the business o acing the media or the monthly press con erence that he instituted in 2001. Details, tickets and tables are a ailable rom lpc entirea air .Donald Trel ord is a ormer editor o The Obser erStephen Glo er is away.