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Britons Pick Tony Blair Over Gordon Brown
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Almost half of people in Britain prefer Tony Blair over their current prime minister, according to a poll by YouGov. 49 per cent of respondents think Blair’s performance as head of government was better than Gordon Brown’s.
In addition, 46 per cent of respondents think Brown should quit in light of the current political and economic climate, while 36 per cent believe he should retain his post.
In June 2007, Brown officially became Labour leader and prime minister, replacing Blair. Brown had worked as chancellor of the exchequer. Blair served as Britain’s prime minister since May 1997, winning majority mandates in the 1997, 2001 and 2005 elections to the House of Commons.
Earlier this month, the Mail on Sunday published a document allegedly written by Blair last year in which the former prime minister criticizes Brown’s leadership, saying, "We dissed our own record. Instead of saying we are building on the achievements, confronting new challenges, we joined in the attack on our own record—a fatal mistake if we do not correct it. (...) I am passing this message to GB [Gordon Brown]—not in these terms—and will try to help; but at present, there is every indication that the lessons will not be learnt."
The next election to the House of Commons must be held on or before Jun. 3, 2010. Sitting prime ministers can dissolve Parliament and call an early ballot at their discretion.
Polling Data
In general, thinking of their performance as prime minister, would you say that you prefer Tony Blair or Gordon Brown?
|
I prefer Tony Blair |
49% |
|
I prefer Gordon Brown |
13% |
|
No preference / Don’t know |
38% |
In light of the current political and economic climate, do you think Gordon Brown should stand down as prime minister?
|
Yes he should stand down as PM |
46% |
|
No he should not stand down as PM |
36% |
|
Don’t know |
18% |
Source: YouGov
Methodology: Online interviews with 2,031 British adults, conducted from Aug. 6 to Aug. 8, 2008. No margin of error was provided.