(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Adults in Britain remain split over the appropriate moment for Tony Blair to step down as prime minister, according to a poll by Populus published in The Times. 41 per cent of respondents believe Blair should resign immediately or by the end of the year, while 43 per cent believe he should quit in 2007 or just before the next general election.

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. Blair has served as prime minister since 1997.

In October 2004, 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. 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, the Conservative party announced that David Cameron would be their new leader. The 39-year-old Cameron becomes the fourth person to command the opposition organization in the past eight years.

The Liberal Democrats will settle on a new leader by early March. The leadership ballot was called this month after Charles Kennedy admitted to a drinking problem. Foreign affairs spokesman Menzies Campbell and home affairs spokesman Mark Oaten have already declared their candidacies.

Polling Data

When do you think Tony Blair should step down as Prime Minister?

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