LONDON: Two-fifths of UK Labour Party members say Tony Blair should stand down before the next general election, according to the results of this month's Guardian/ICM opinion poll.
The exclusive poll of a representative sample of 360 Labour members also shows strong majority support for an increase in the top rate of tax on high earners to fund public service improvements rather than increases in user charges or cuts in spending.
The survey reveals that more than 70 per cent of Labour members joined before Mr Blair became leader in July 1994. Although the majority would re-elect him if there were a leadership challenge tomorrow, they could not be described as "Blairites".
There is still a rebellious minority within the party's ranks. More one-third would prefer to see Finance Minister Gordon Brown take over from Mr Blair, a third believe the Hutton report into the death of UK government weapons expert Dr David Kelly was a whitewash, and 39 per cent believe that Mr Blair should step down before the next general election.
A further 21 per cent believe he should step down some time after the next general election. This may be why Mr Blair felt it necessary at the weekend to make clear he had no intention of stepping down before the election, which could come as early as May 2005.
This faction also clearly believes that the party has drifted too far to the right under Mr Blair and Labour has failed to be the party of the many, not the few.
But overall, Labour members give the Blair government a good scorecard for its performance in office, with ratings of more than six out of 10 for its handling of the economy, health, education and crime.
The regular monthly Guardian/ICM poll for all voters shows that the situation facing Mr Blair in the UK is getting tighter. Labour's voting intentions lead is cut to two points this month - the lowest since last July, before Michael Howard took over the (opposition) Conservative leadership.
But the figures make clear this has more to do with an erosion of Labour support - down three points on last month - than any advance by the Conservatives, who remain unchanged on 34 percent. -Dawn/The Guardian News Service.
