New year, new pitfalls for Blair

SADDAM HUSSEIN’S capture and Libya’s disarmament pledge brought some relief for Britain’s Tony Blair at the end of the most politically trying year of his tenure but the 2004 agenda is packed with potential pitfalls.

The New Year will kick off with what could be a damning report into the suicide of a government expert on Iraq's weapons that will turn the spotlight back onto the issue of Saddam's alleged deadly armaments.

And as parliament broke for recess last week, members of Mr Blair's Labour Party raised the spectre of a major revolt against a flagship education policy a reminder that, after six years, the prime minister does not command the loyalty he once did.