(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Some adults in Britain believe Tony Blair should quit in the next few months, according to a poll by YouGov published in the Sunday Times. 41 per cent of respondents believe the current prime minister should step down as soon as possible, and certainly this year.

Conversely, 17 per cent of respondents think Blair should resign in 2007 or 2008, and 22 per cent would allow him to complete his current term in Parliament.

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.

On Feb. 13, the House of Commons voted 310-279 to approve the introduction of national identity cards in 2008. The plans call for every person who applies to get a new passport to also receive an identity card, with their biometric details stored on a central register. The measure had been blocked by the House of Lords last month.

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

It is expected that, at some stage during this parliament, Tony Blair will step down as prime minister, and be succeeded by Gordon Brown. When would you prefer this to happen?

Archive Search

Over 19,700 Polls
Search the Angus Reid Global Monitor Polls & Research archive.