Britain's Labor Party wins general election

Britain's ruling Labor Party won its historic third-term in Thursday's general election, with Tony Blair appealing to the nation for unity and to look to the future.

In his victory speech, Blair said it was clear that "the British people wanted to return a Labor government but with a reduced majority".

With most results in, the Labor has garnered so far 351 of the 645 seats in the new parliament, more than the 324 seat needed fora victory. Blair thus becomes the first leader to win three successive terms for Labor.

While congratulating Blair on his victory, Conservative leader Michael Howard urged him to "deliver on his promises".

"I am proud of the campaign we have fought. We have taken a stand on the things that really do matter to the people of this country. We have sent Mr. Blair a message," said Howard, adding that Tories' result was a "significant step toward our recovery".

Charles Kennedy, leader of the opposition Liberal Democrats, hailed that voters had ushered in a new era of three-party politics as he was returned as a member of parliament (MP) by an overwhelming majority.

"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," he noted.

An interlude to the election was the "sensational" victory of George Galloway of the anti-war Respect party over the Labor in Bethnal Green, east London.

Galloway, who based his campaign blasting Iraq war, said after his victory, widely deemed as one of the most bitter contests in the 2005 election, "This is for Iraq and the other defeats that New Labor has received this evening are for Iraq."

Galloway's success means there are more small party and independent MPs than in any parliament since 1945.

Election analysts here predict that with a much reduced majority in the parliament, Blair will have a hard time in getting his policies and programs through Parliament.

Later on Friday, Blair is expected to be at the Buckingham Palace for an audience with the Queen to get ready for shaping the new cabinet.

Source: Xinhua