Blair suffer's poll drubbing

Tony Blair was dealt a severe blow by voters today as Labour plunged to third place in the local elections, the party’s worst showing in living memory.

Conservatives polled 38%, putting them within striking distance of a majority at a general election, according to a BBC projection of results.

The Liberal Democrats were second on 30% while Labour languished on 26%, according to the projection from more than 400,000 votes in the “super Thursday” poll.

With results from 80 authorities in, Labour had lost 209 councillors and controlled seven fewer councils, with losses including Swansea and Burnley.

The Tories took an extra 103 seats and power in seven more authorities, including Trafford, the first major metropolitan council to declare.

The Lib Dems were up 81 seats but a council down.

Despite the gains, Michael Howard’s Tories appeared no further forward than they were under William Hague 12 months before Mr Blair’s 2001 landslide, the BBC projection showed.

The party also polled 38% in the 2000 council elections while Labour was on 29% and the Lib Dems on 28%.

An internet poll asking how people would vote at a general election suggested Mr Blair would lose his majority but remain Prime Minister, with Labour the largest party.

And Mr Howard is likely to come under pressure himself if, as expected, a surge in support for the UK Independence Party hits the Tories when the European election results are declared on Sunday.

However, the focus was firmly on Mr Blair today with the threat of more serious Labour losses as a second wave of councils declare their results later.

There was also the risk of Labour embarrassment in London where counting was also getting under way and Ken Livingstone faced an unexpectedly tight fight to remain mayor.

In London, Mr Livingstone had been set for a comfortable victory in his bid to keep the job but support has dipped since he rejoined Labour.

Mr Livingstone is set to receive about 35% of first preferences compared with 31% for Tory Steve Norris and 18% for Lib Dem Simon Hughes, according to YouGov.

In the second round run-off, when second preferences are taken into account, Mr Livingstone should beat Mr Norris 53% to 47%.