Blair may call early election
2004-10-31 14:39
London - Prime Minister Tony Blair may call general elections in February 2005 instead of in May, as had been widely expected, two newspapers reported on Sunday.
The Sunday Telegraph and The Sunday Times both said Blair has ordered top aides to prepare for a possible February election in hopes of capitalising on his current poll lead over the opposition Conservative Party.
Blair's 10 Downing St office did not deny the reports outright.
"I don't know where it's come from," a spokesperson said on customary condition of anonymity. "I think it's just idle speculation."
In Britain, the prime minister chooses an election date anytime within five years of the last election. The vote is announced about a month ahead of time.
Neither newspaper reporting the claim cited any sources for it.
Both said Blair thought he might be boosted by Iraq's elections in January if they go smoothly.
A poll published on Sunday found Blair's Labour Party leading the Tories by 39% to 33% among those questioned. Labour's numbers in the Communicate Research poll for the Independent on Sunday newspaper represented a seven-point increase from a similar survey last month.
About 1 009 adults were interviewed for the poll by telephone on October 27 and 28. The margin of error was 3 percentage points.
Blair has said he intends to serve a full third term if his party is re-elected but would not seek a fourth term.
- AP