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Tony Blair

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Some adults in Britain believe their prime minister should not resign after the next general election, according to a poll by Populus published in The Times. 30 per cent of respondents believe Tony Blair should reconsider his decision to stand down.

British voters renewed the House of Commons on May 5. 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.

Last October, Blair announced that he would retire at the end of his next term. Current chancellor of the exchequer Gordon Brown has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Blair. 23 per cent of respondents think the current prime minister should quit now, 18 per cent believe he should stand down by the end of next year, and 24 per cent would like him to resign shortly before the next election.

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.

Polling Data

Tony Blair has said he wants to remain as prime minister throughout this Parliament before handing over to his successor before the next election, while some people are saying they think he should step down much sooner that that. Which of the following statements is closer to your view?

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