UK's Blair extends election lead - poll
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-02-08 11:11

British Prime Minister Tony Blair's ruling Labour Party has recorded its highest rating since US-led forces occupied Iraq in April 2003, according to a Times newspaper poll on Tuesday.

With an election expected in May, Blair has extended his lead over the opposition Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats, the Populus survey said.

The poll put Labour three points up from last month on 41 percent, ahead of the Conservatives on 32 percent, down one point.

The last Times/Populus poll to place Labour above 40 percent was on April 14, 2003, days after US-led forces took Baghdad.

Hundreds of thousands of Britons marched against the Iraq war and Blair endured one of the biggest-ever revolts within his party over his staunch support for the invasion of Iraq. The prime minister has tried to keep the election focus on domestic issues as he seeks to hold on to Labour's huge majority and secure an historic third term.

Despite opposition to the war, analysts say Blair is on course to win.

The anti-war Liberal Democrats saw their support fall two points to 18 percent. Small parties shared the remaining 9 percent.

Populus interviewed a random sample of 1,518 people aged over 18 by telephone between Feb. 4 and Feb. 6.

Close

Today's Top News     Top World News
Toll in Asian tsunami disaster tops 295,000         Wen: China to build a harmonious society         New bird flu vaccine capable of prevention         Bush proposes steep cuts in $2.57T budget         Israel, Palestinians to declare ceasefire         US forces storm Iraqi house, free Egyptians	Israel, Palestinians to declare ceasefire       Bush proposes steep cuts in $2.57T budget       Toll in Asian tsunami disaster tops 295,000       US forces storm Iraqi house, free Egyptians       Hostages leave Spanish consulate in Berne - police       Attacks in Iraq kill at least 30 people