(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in Britain appear disappointed with the actions of their prime minister, according to a poll by YouGov published in The Times. 56 per cent of respondents think Tony Blair has given peerages in return for party donations and loans, and 53 describe him as sleazy on the issue of political funding.

In May 2005, British voters renewed the House of Commons. The governing Labour party secured a new mandate with 356 seats. Blair—who has served as prime minister since 1997—vowed to retire at the end of his third term in office. Current chancellor of the exchequer Gordon Brown has been mentioned as his possible replacement.

Over the past few days, Blair has been affected by a scandal over the nominations for peerage of specific Labour party campaign contributors. Four men who secretly donated money to the governing party—health entrepreneur Chai Patel, businessman David Garrard, stockbroker Barry Townsley, and Indian food magnate Gulam Noon—were later nominated for peerage by the prime minister. The Lords Appointments Commission blocked their nominations earlier this month.

On Mar. 16, Blair denied having nominated the men in return for the loans, adding, "It cannot be a barrier to a party appointment that someone has been a financial supporter of the party."

Yesterday, Patel said he never discussed any possible appointment with Blair when his donation to the Labour party was made. In a statement, Noon said he would ask for his nomination to be withdrawn, adding, "My international business reputation, built up over 50 years, is of the utmost importance to me. I have always acted with complete propriety and worked with integrity to build several businesses, both in the UK and overseas."

Polling Data

It has been alleged that under Tony Blair Labour has routinely given out knighthoods and peerages in return for party donations and loans. Do you think the prime minister has given peerages in return for party donations and loans?

Which of the following best describes your attitude to Tony Blair on political funding?

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