Blair holds lead over opposition, six months before election

LONDON – Prime Minister Tony Blair’s Labor Party maintains a healthy lead over the opposition six months before elections widely expected in May, a poll released Saturday suggests.

Labor was supported by 42 percent of respondents to the poll conducted for the Independent on Sunday newspaper, with 31 percent supporting the main opposition Conservative Party and 20 percent favoring Liberal Democrats.

A similar poll a month ago put Labor’s support at 39 percent, with the Tories at 33 percent and the Liberal Democrats at 17 percent.

The results are bad news for Conservative leader Michael Howard, who has failed to close the gap on Labor despite widespread voter dissatisfaction over Britain’s participation in the Iraq war and occupation.