Tony Blair, 2005 News

prime minister of the United Kingdom, became the first Labour party leader to win a third term. Despite this victory, Blair's party was severely hurt in the May elections. The Labour party won just 36% of the national vote, the lowest percentage by a ruling party in British history. Blair acknowledged that the reason for the poor showing was Britain's involvement in the war in Iraq, which was widely unpopular. In July, London suffered a terrorist bombing that killed 52 and wounded 700. In response, the prime minister introduced tough new anti-terrorist legislation.


2005 People in the News