Credit:UN/DPI Photo

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Adults in Britain remain split on the timetable for their prime minister's retirement, according to a poll by ICM Research released by BBC Newsnight. 50 per cent of respondents believe Tony Blair should resign now or within the next year, while 44 per cent want him to either wait longer or contest the next election.

In May 2005, British voters renewed the House of Commons. The governing Labour party—under Blair's leadership—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 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, Scotland Yard announced an official investigation into the matter. The seldom used Honours Act of 1925 considers imprisonment for up to two years or an unrestricted fine for anyone found guilty of accepting "any gift, money or valuable consideration as an inducement or reward for procuring or assisting or endeavouring to procure the grant of a dignity or title of honour."

Polling Data

When should Tony Blair resign?

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