LONDON, Nov 10: A defiant British Prime Minister Tony Blair vowed Thursday to forge ahead with further controversial reforms despite a rebellion within his Labour Party that helped defeat a key anti-terrorism measure.

Blair has gone on the counter-attack since Wednesday’s vote, his first defeat in parliament during eight years in power, branding lawmakers who rejected the measure as “irresponsible” and out of touch with reality.

Following talks Thursday with the police and security services, he warned of “a worrying gap between parts of parliament and the reality of the terrorist threat and public opinion,” his official spokesman said.

Opinion polls had shown a majority of the public in favor of the 90-day plan in the wake of the July 7 bombings on three underground trains and a bus in London that killed 56 people, including the four suicide bombers.

The defeat by a margin of 31 votes prompted speculation over how long Blair will be able to act effectively, or even how long he can stay in office, particularly with controversial health and education reforms in the pipeline.

But the cabinet rallied around the prime minister, particularly interior minister Charles Clarke, who blamed himself for misjudging the parliamentary mood and rejected claims that Blair was losing his grip.

Clarke and Blair’s official spokesman said Blair would forge ahead with proposed reforms for education, health and welfare benefits outlined in the party’s manifesto.

Since Labour won its third-straight term in power in the May elections, Blair has vowed to push ahead with the radical reform despite opposition from some Labour members.

“The cabinet was united in the view that they were determined to carry through their manifesto commitment,” the spokesman said, adding there was nonetheless “a recognition of the need to explain to parliament and the country why they were doing so.” —AFP