Labour acknowledge 'Iraq factor'

The Iraq issue kept returning during the election campaign

Tony Blair has admitted Iraq played a part in Labour's reduced majority as he secured an historic third term.

The prime minister conceded the war had been a "divisive issue" during the campaign and insisted there were "lots of lessons" for Labour to learn.

Reg Keys, whose son was killed in Iraq, recorded 4,252 votes against Mr Blair in his Sedgefield constituency and urged him to "say sorry" for the war.

Michael Howard congratulated Mr Blair, saying it was time for him to deliver.

A 'clear message'

I hope in my heart that one day the prime minister will be able to say sorry Reg Keys Muslims desert Labour

The prime minister acknowledged that voters wanted a Labour government with a smaller majority and that he had to respond to that wisely.

Speaking in Sedgefield, Mr Blair said: "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.

"I know Iraq has been a divisive issue in this country but I hope now we can unite again and look to the future."

But Mr Keys, whose 20-year-old son Tom was one of six military policemen killed in Iraq, said his result sent "a clear and resounding message about the Iraq war".

Mr Blair and his wife Cherie looked on as he said: "I hope in my heart that one day the prime minister will be able to say sorry - he will say sorry to the families of the bereaved and one day the prime minister will feel able to visit wounded soldiers in hospital."

He said his campaign was dedicated to the 88 British servicemen killed since the start of the war in 2003.

"Fighting this campaign has not been an easy task for me, but I had to do it for my son Thomas ... who was sent to war under extremely controversial circumstances.

"If this war had been justified by international law, I would have grieved but not campaigned. If weapons of mass destruction had been found in Iraq, again I would have grieved but not campaigned."

Labour losses

Even if Mr Blair believes history will treat him kindly over the war, he will want something else to be remembered for other than that hugely controversial conflict Nick Assinder What now for Blair?

In his acceptance speech for the seat of Kirkcaldy, Chancellor Gordon Brown said: "I promise we will listen and we will learn so we can serve our country and communities even better in the years to come."

That was a message echoed by David Blunkett who acknowledged Labour needed to "hear the voice of the British people".

Labour's election co-ordinator Alan Milburn, who has ruled himself out of a Cabinet return, said: "This is the first time we have been re-elected for a third term - it's a tremendous achievement on Tony Blair's part."

While he accepted that Iraq had been "a big issue", he insisted people had voted on issues about the economy and public services.

'Sack him'

"I think people will begin to ask ... if the circumstances were so propitious for the Conservative party, why is it that they failed to achieve any lift off from the 33% they achieved in 2001?"

One significant Labour loss saw ex-Labour MP George Galloway, who founded the anti-war Respect Party, oust his former colleague Oona King in Bethnal Green and Bow.

Key Labour losses Tories take Putney from Tony Coleman Tories take Peterborough from Helen Clark Lib Dems take Hornsey and Wood Green from Barbara Roche Independent Peter Law takes Blaenau Gwent Lib Dems gain Birmingham Yardley Lib Dems take Cardiff Central Tories take Enfield Southgate from Stephen Twigg Lib Dems gained Leeds North West Tories take Welwyn Hatfield from Melanie Johnson George Galloway takes Bethnal Green and Bow from Oona King

In his victory speech he said: "Mr Blair, this defeat is for Iraq and the other defeats that New Labour has received this evening are for Iraq.

"All the people you have killed and all the loss of life have come back to haunt you and the best thing that the Labour Party can do is sack you tomorrow morning."

Ex-minister Barbara Roche lost Hornsey and Wood Green on a massive swing of 15% to the Lib Dems' Lynne Featherstone.

Several Labour ministers including Stephen Twigg, Melanie Johnson and Christopher Leslie also lost their seats to Tory candidates.

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324 seats needed to win

LAB 356

CON 198

LD 62

But one of the most notable results came in Blaenau Gwent, the Welsh seat once held by Aneurin Bevan and then by Michael Foot.

Independent and former Labour assembly member Peter Law defeated a Labour candidate chosen from a women-only shortlist.

Home Secretary Charles Clarke, when asked if the Iraq war had affected the election outcome, said: "It was an issue, how much of an issue I will not be able to tell you until I have examined the results."

Wilson's record

In large numbers of safe Labour seats there were significant swings to the Liberal Democrats - which might be seen as a result of the Lib Dems' opposition to war.

Everyone agrees, we would have done better with a different leader Clare Short, Ex-Cabinet minister Galloway's surprise win Straw sees off challenge

They took a number of seats from Labour including Birmingham Yardley, Bristol West, Cardiff Central, Manchester Withington and Rochdale.

But Mr Blair is nevertheless the first Labour leader to win three consecutive elections.

Harold Wilson achieved four victories, but his time in power was interspersed with a Tory government.

He served 2,837 days but over two periods in office between 1964-70 and 1974-76 - a total already exceeded by Mr Blair.

If Mr Blair stays on as prime minister, he will overtake Margaret Thatcher's 11 years and 209 days in office in November 2008.

Ex-Cabinet minister, Clare Short, said the quality of government might improve if Labour had a smaller majority.

"Everyone agrees, we would have done better with a different leader," she added.

Ex-Labour leader Lord Kinnock said: "Votes have been siphoned in crucial seats from Labour to the Liberal Democrats with the net beneficiaries the Conservatives."