Blair Pledges To Oust Major Before May

Blair, cheered by up to 40 prospective parliamentary candidates from key marginal seats, said the healthy debate had swept aside any divisions there may once have been between old and new Labour. He described the 61 per cent turnout as spectacular. Over the past week senior Labour figures had warned that the turnout was struggling to exceed 50 per cent. Rules were then modified to allow members to cast their ballot using a free telephone number. Murmurings of discontent over the past few months have come from predominently leftwing Labour MPs and activists, who say they were denied the chance to give their views on specific areas of policy.

 

But in spite of the complaints, Blairs hand has been strengthened. With the Tory majority in the Commons down to one Blair renewed his call for an immediate election.