Credit:The White House

Tony Blair

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Adults in Britain are divided on whether Tony Blair should leave politics, according to a poll by Populus published in The Times. 44 per cent of respondents believe it would be better to have current chancellor of the exchequer Gordon Brown take over as prime minister, while 45 per cent disagree.

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 Britain's prime minister since 1997.

On Nov. 2, work and pensions state secretary David Blunkett tendered his resignation following allegations that he broke the ministerial code of conduct. Blunkett apparently failed to inform an independent watchdog before accepting specific corporate positions. 62 per cent of respondents believe Blunkett's resignation has weakened the prime minister.

On Nov. 3, during the first meeting of his reshuffled cabinet, Blair declared, "Times are tough but they are tough because the government is trying to do the right thing on reforming public services and countering terrorism."

The Populus poll was conducted before Nov. 9, when the Labour government's anti-terrorism bill was defeated in the House of Commons after a 322-291 vote. A revised version of the legislation—which allows for a 28-day detention period for suspected terrorists—was introduced and passed immediately following the conclusion of the first vote.

Polling Data

Do you agree or disagree? - The sooner Tony Blair goes and is replaced by Gordon Brown the better.

Do you agree or disagree? - Tony Blair's personal position has been weakened by the fact that David Blunkett has been forced to resign from the cabinet for the second time in less than year.

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