Labour Party (UK)

The Labour Party is the principal centre-left political party in the United Kingdom (see British politics). It is one of the United Kingdom's three main political parties and is currently the party of government in the United Kingdom. It describes itself as a Democratic Socialist party and is a member of the Socialist International. Under the leadership of Tony Blair it won by a landslide victory in the 1997 general election, and formed its first government since the 1979 general election. It retained its position with two further large victories in the 2001 and the 2005 general elections. Under Blair's leadership, the party has adopted a number of neoliberal policies.

The Labour Party today

The party's popularity has declined since 2001. Nevertheless, Labour won the 2005 general election with a reduced majority of 66. Tony Blair has said he will serve a full third term, which implies that he will retire in 2010 at the latest.

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It is possible that Blair will retire earlier than that to allow time for his successor to settle in before another election campaign. If the pattern of recent elections is followed, the next election will be held on June 11, 2009 to coincide with elections to the European Parliament. This would suggest the announcement of Blair's resignation by Summer 2008 to allow for the leadership election and a "coronation" at the party conference in the autumn. Following the alleged Granita agreement, Gordon Brown, the long serving Chancellor of the Exchequer, is widely expected to succeed Blair and become Labour Leader and Prime Minister.

Related Topics:
Next election - June 11 - 2009 - European Parliament - 2008 - Granita agreement - Gordon Brown - Chancellor of the Exchequer

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See also:

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• Politics of the United Kingdom