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Tony Blair holds parliamentary seat
British Prime Minister Tony Blair retained his parliamentary seat on Friday, acknowledging that the Iraq war was divisive.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair retained his parliamentary seat on Friday, acknowledging that the Iraq war was divisive, and urging Britons to "look to the future".
Blair was never in real danger of losing the seat representing the Sedgefield district in northeastern England, which he has served since 1983. Exit polls showed his Labour Party winning re-election nationally with decreased House of Commons majority, an apparent punishment from voters for the war in Iraq.
Blair had to win his seat to keep his job as prime minister.
"I know Iraq has been a divisive issue in this country, but I hope now that we can unite again and look to the future there and here," Blair said after his resounding victory in his constituency was announced. Standing next to his wife, Cherie, he smiled but looked visibly worn.
The father of a British soldier killed in the Iraq war ran against Blair in Sedgefield, winning 4,252 votes, compared to Blair's 24,429. Blair also acknowledged exit polls projecting that his Labour Party would be returned to power with a reduced majority.
"If, and I say if, the predictions are right, it also looks as if the Labour Party is heading for the first time in its history for a historic third term," he said.
"It's not yet clear obviously what the majority is, it seems as if it's clear ... that the British people wanted the return of a Labour government but with a reduced majority, and we have to respond to that sensibly and wisely."
