Changes

One of Blair's most controversial decisions was to [[Iraq War|invade Iraq]] in 2003. The [[United Kingdom|UK]] was the second largest contributor of armed forces to the Coalition of the Willing and was largely in charge of the southern province including the city of Basra. Partly due to the war's unpopularity, and partly to a perception that the Government had raised taxes on business and individuals to unacceptable levels, the Labour party won a much smaller majority in 2005 and has seen key bills defeated by backbench revolts such as the plan to hold terrorist suspects for up to 90 days without charge.

One of Blair's most controversial decisions was to [[Iraq War|invade Iraq]] in 2003. The [[United Kingdom|UK]] was the second largest contributor of armed forces to the Coalition of the Willing and was largely in charge of the southern province including the city of Basra. Partly due to the war's unpopularity, and partly to a perception that the Government had raised taxes on business and individuals to unacceptable levels, the Labour party won a much smaller majority in 2005 and has seen key bills defeated by backbench revolts such as the plan to hold terrorist suspects for up to 90 days without charge.

Blair was replaced by his Chancellor, [[Gordon Brown]] in mid-2007. While the remainder of that year was relatively stable, a series of events in 2008 such as soaring crime rates and an economic collapse have seen Labour's polling rates plummet to levels not seen since Michael Foot's leadership.  

Blair was replaced by his Chancellor, [[Gordon Brown]] in mid-2007. While the remainder of that year was relatively stable, a series of events in 2008 such as soaring crime rates and an economic collapse have seen Labour's polling rates plummet to levels not seen since Michael Foot's leadership. By current projections, Labour are headed for the worst electoral defeat of a government in recent history - likely even worse than in 1979, owing to a much stronger [[Liberal Democrats|Liberal Democrat]] party and more active nationalist parties in Scotland and Wales, where the Conservatives typically fare poorly. However, barring an unlikely scenario such as a vote of no confidence combined with a massive backbench revolt, an election is not due until May 2010, leaving a slight chance that Labour could turn their sinking popularity around.

 

Latest polls shows the Tory lead collapsing, leading to speculation of a 2009 election. In poll after poll, those surveyed consistently rate the Labour Party as more trustworthy and competent with regard to the current economic crisis. The Tory lead increasingly appears to have been a summer blip. (http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/dec/16/icm-poll)

==Prime Ministers==

==Prime Ministers==