October 18, 2005

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Scan) - Some adults in Britain want Tony Blair to resign in the next few months, according to a poll by MORI published in The Sun. 40 per cent of respondents believe Tony Blair should step down immediately or before the end of the year.

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Some adults in Britain want Tony Blair to resign in the next few months, according to a poll by MORI published in The Sun. 40 per cent of respondents believe Tony Blair should step down immediately or before the end of the year.

In May, British voters renewed the House of Commons. The governing Labour party secured 356 seats, followed by the Conservatives with 197 and the Liberal Democrats with 62. Blair has served as prime minister since 1997.

Last October, Blair announced that he would retire at the end of his third term. Current chancellor of the exchequer Gordon Brown has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Blair. 42 per cent of respondents believe Brown would make the most capable prime minister. Among Labour party supporters, Blair holds a 19-point edge over Brown as the preferred head of government.

The next election must be held on or before Jun. 3, 2010. Sitting prime ministers can dissolve Parliament and call an early ballot at their discretion.

Last month in an interview with the BBC, Brown played down talk of a quick succession, declaring, "Tony Blair has said, of course, that he is not going to stand in the next election as leader. He has said he wants to have a smooth and orderly transition. (...) I want to concentrate on getting on with the job. I think people do expect us to address the problems of the country and the challenges the country faces, and that is what I am going to do."

Polling Data

When do you think Tony Blair should step down as prime minister?

Immediately	36%
Before the end of 2005	4%
In 2006	8%
In 2007	3%
In 2008	3%
In 2009	1%
In 2010	1%
Immediately before the next general election	6%
After the next election (expected in 2009/2010)	6%
Other	19%
Don't know	13%

Who do you think would make the most capable prime minister—Tony Blair or Gordon Brown?

	All.	Lab.
Tony Blair	39%	56%
Gordon Brown	42%	37%
Don't know	20%	7%

Source: MORI / The Sun
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 504 British adults, conducted on Sept. 29 and Sept. 30, 2005. No margin of error was provided.