Blair wins record third term with reduced majority

Tony Blair has won a record third term in Downing Street today – but saw Labour’s majority slashed by nearly 100.

He told cheering party workers on his return to London: “We have got a mandate to govern this country again. We have got to listen to the people and respond wisely and sensibly but they have made it very clear they wanted to carry on with Labour and not go back to the Tory years.”

With 30 results still to come in, Labour appeared on course for a Commons majority over all other parties of about 68 – down from 161.

The Conservatives had met net gains of 34 seats and the Liberal Democrats were forecast to increase their number of seats from 55 to 63.

Labour won just 36.4% of the vote on a projected turnout of 61.1%, slightly up from 2001. It was believed to be the smallest share of the vote achieved by a winning party in a General Election.

Mr Blair became the first Labour leader to win three contests in a row and promised to learn the lessons of the signal voters had sent by curbing his command of the Commons.

He told party workers at Trimdon Labour Club in his Sedgefield constituency: “I know there are lots of lessons to learn but I do feel very proud of the fact that we have managed that historic third term victory.”

He added: “To be re-elected for a third time is very special so it’s a tremendous privilege and an honour.”

Tory leader Michael Howard conceded defeat at his count in Folkestone, after retaining his own seat.

He said: “It looks that Mr Blair is going to win a third term for Labour and I congratulate him on that victory.

“I believe that the time has now come for him to deliver on the things that really matter to the people of our country.”

He added: “We have sent a message to Mr Blair and in the next Parliament we will be able to form a stronger opposition.”

Earlier, speaking at his own count, Mr Blair said: “I know Iraq has been a divisive issue in this country. But I hope now we can unite again and look to the future.”

To cheers and applause, he added: “It seems as if it is clear that the British people wanted the return of a Labour government, but with a reduced majority. We have to respond to that sensibly and wisely and responsibly.”

Chancellor Gordon Brown, seen as the natural successor to Mr Blair when he steps down, said as his own result was announced: “I promise that we will listen and we will learn so that we can serve our country and our communities even better in the years to come.”

The Tories celebrated their first gain just after midnight when they took back Putney, south-west London, from Labour with a majority of 1,766 on a 6.46% swing.

They went on to regain Enfield Southgate, famously seized by Labour’s Stephen Twigg from Michael Portillo as Labour romped to a 1997 landslide.

And Labour suffered another body blow when George Galloway defeated Oona King in Bethnal Green and Bow, on his anti-war Respect ticket. He delivered a tirade against Mr Blair in his acceptance speech.

The Lib Dems failed in their attempts to unseat two senior Tories – as ex-party chairman Theresa May increased her majority in Maidenhead and shadow home secretary David Davis retained Haltemprice and Howden.

But they made a handful of gains across the country.

Senior Labour figures hailed the fact that for the first time the party would enjoy three successive periods in ofice.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said: “We always want a good result. I always want to see a Labour Government and there is going to be a Labour government, There is no doubt about that.”

Labour’s election co-ordinator Alan Milburn said: “Tony Blair would be only the second Prime Minister in history to win three General Elections in a row with a mandate and a majority for a New Labour programme of government.”

Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon acknowledged Iraq had been an issue in the campaign, but insisted it was “nothing like” as significant as the economy and public services.

He told ITV1: “I have not found people saying that Iraq is the most important issue as far as they are concerned.

“I have had some people who have raised it with me but not as a central decision-making factor in how they cast their vote.”

Home Secretary Charles Clarke said: “The whole election is an endorsement - not ringing – of the whole course that the country is following.

“It’s a decision that we want to go ahead with the policies on the economy, on investing in our public services and that’s what I am delighted about.

“The fact that we have a third term with a solid majority and an ability to govern for the next four or five years is a tremendous achievement that I think the public will welcome.”

Tory co-chairman Liam Fox said: “It is clear that the public want to cut Tony Blair down to size and make him more accountable.”

Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy said: “I think it is going to be a very different House of Commons from the one we have had over the past eight years, and I think that is going to be very healthy, whatever people’s political views.”

Mr Blair – 52 today – celebrated with cheering party workers at the National Portrait Gallery in London.

“How does it feel to be part of a third-term Labour government?” he asked them, grinning broadly.

He added: “I love you and I’m proud of you.”

The Prime Minister was due at Buckingham Palace for an audience with the Queen later this morning and was expected to put the final touches to a Cabinet reshuffle.

Labour election co-ordinator Alan Milburn announced early today he did not want to stay in the Cabinet and Treasury Chief Secretary Paul Boateng has left parliament to become Britain’s High Commissioner to South Africa.

Ex-Home Secretary David Blunkett appeared to hint last night that he could be on the brink of a comeback.

Challenged on Sky News about whether he was likely to be back in office in a new Labour Government, he replied: “Well, we’ll see what the Prime Minister wishes me to do tomorrow.”

There will also inevitably be speculation as to whether the size of Labour’s majority will hinder Mr Blair’s plans for a smooth transition of power when he steps down.

The Prime Minister has said he will serve a full third term, but could look vulnerable before then – especially if he suffers a series of major backbench rebellions.