Blair: Forget about Iraq for the Next 24 Hours
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
(SNN London) On the last day of campaigning, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, seeking his third term as head of the government, asked voters to forget about their suspicions over his decisions involving the Iraq war and think of England.
Blair could still lose key seats due to poor Labour turnout and protest of the Iraq war.
While polls show Blair far ahead, it is feared that he could still lose key seats due to poor Labour turnout and protest of the Iraq war. "Of course there has been disagreement about Iraq," the prime minister said. "(But) who do people trust with the economy, with the investment in our public services, with the interests of the country?" he asked. Blair would also like voters to forget about anything else they don’t like about him.
Many believe that Blair could have done more
The Prime Minister is relying on Britain’s stout economy, which has outperformed other European nations during recent economic downturns. But many in his own centre-left Labour Party, remain deeply uncomfortable with Blair's backing of the U.S.-led war. Also, many believe that Blair could have done more to work with BBC Wales to stop Chris Eccleston from leaving Dr. Who after one season.
In a different situation, Blair’s message would seem a weak gambit, but there is little hope the two main opposition parties can leverage the Iraq war to their benefit. The conservative party also supported the war, and the Liberal Democrats are liberal democrats.
