Britons go to poll, Blair likely to win

SEDGEFIELD: Britain voted on Thursday in an election likely to hand Tony Blair a historic third term but to reduce his huge parliamentary majority as some Britons punish him over Iraq.

That could hinder Blair’s capacity to push forward ambitious reforms of public services and to persuade Britons to back the EU constitution in a promised 2006 referendum.

Shortly after polling stations opened, small explosions went off in front of the skyscraper housing the British consulate in New York, briefly jangling nerves back home.

With no one hurt and no immediate claim of responsibility, security experts said it looked like a publicity stunt rather than a serious attack.

The first indication of the British election result was expected at 10 pm (2100 GMT) on Thursday. reuters

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