Credit:UN/DPI Photo

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Adults in Britain are divided on whether Tony Blair should continue as head of government, according to a poll by ICM Research published in the Daily Telegraph. 46 per cent of respondents believe the current prime minister should step down now, while 45 per cent want him to remain in his post.

In May 2005, 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. Labour leader Tony Blair has served as prime minister since 1997. In October 2004, Blair 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." 47 per cent of respondents believe the allegations are true, while 23 per cent disagree.

Polling Data

Based on what you have seen or heard, do you think Tony Blair should now step down as prime minister, or should he continue for the time being?

From what you have seen or heard, do you think it is true that the Labour party offered peerages of knighthoods in return for large loans, or do you think this it is untrue?

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