London, Nov. 14: Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s wife and lawyer Cherie Blair has declared that she is interested in becoming a senior judge.

Cherie says she has not ruled out the possibility of a High Court job and pointedly drew attention to the lack of women among lawyers recently selected for the 165,900 pound a year post.

According to the Daily Mail, Cherie’s decision to reveal her future plans seem unusual, but observers say it signals a new confidence that Blair feels more able to promote her career openly after calling it quits from 10, Downing Street.

Asked in a profile for The Lawyer journal if she 'fancied' a career on the bench, Blair, 53, replied: “I don't think that is in my gift. I have neither ruled it out, or ruled it in. ”

“In the end it isn't a question for me, it's a question for the judicial appointments committee. We need more women lawyers, and more women judges. .. I am extremely confident that there are qualified women around, but that is not an application by me for any job, ” she added.

Cherie Blair has been a Queens Counsel since 1995 and maintained her legal practice throughout her years at No 10. She has also sat as a part-time judge.

Duncan Lamont, a solicitor with leading London firm Charles Russell, said: 'Sitting as a High Court judge does not fit easily with going around giving highly public lecture tours.

“It is also noticeable that she appears to want an appointment to the High Court. Most judges get their first jobs as circuit judges, where they have to go about the country sitting in criminal trials in Crown Courts. Mrs. Blair appears to want the top job rather than the jobs the hoi polloi might get. ” (ANI)