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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Poll suggests 40% want Blair out | Poll suggests 40% want Blair out |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Two in five people want Prime Minister Tony Blair to leave Downing Street immediately, according to a poll. | |
| An ICM survey of 1,003 people for the Sunday Mirror found 40% said the prime minister should resign now, and 10% said he should be gone by next May. | An ICM survey of 1,003 people for the Sunday Mirror found 40% said the prime minister should resign now, and 10% said he should be gone by next May. |
| Deputy leadership contender Harriet Harman said she had privately told Mr Blair when she thought he should go. | Deputy leadership contender Harriet Harman said she had privately told Mr Blair when she thought he should go. |
| But she said Labour should aim at more than just a "stable transition" and have a real debate about policies. | But she said Labour should aim at more than just a "stable transition" and have a real debate about policies. |
| "We must not retreat into our shell, say, 'let's put the lid on, let's keep our heads down'," she said. | "We must not retreat into our shell, say, 'let's put the lid on, let's keep our heads down'," she said. |
| 'Listen' | 'Listen' |
| Ms Harman, who is backing Gordon Brown for the top job, said there should be no rows or bitter personal attacks within the party. | Ms Harman, who is backing Gordon Brown for the top job, said there should be no rows or bitter personal attacks within the party. |
| She added: "The transition should be stable and orderly, but I think we should use the election process for the leadership and deputy as an opportunity to build the party and debate our progressive future." | She added: "The transition should be stable and orderly, but I think we should use the election process for the leadership and deputy as an opportunity to build the party and debate our progressive future." |
| Ms Harman said the government should listen to the views of Labour members and the public - something which traditionally had not been done on foreign policy. | Ms Harman said the government should listen to the views of Labour members and the public - something which traditionally had not been done on foreign policy. |
| The ICM poll also indicates support for the Conservatives has slipped, with its expected vote share down three points to 37% in a month. | The ICM poll also indicates support for the Conservatives has slipped, with its expected vote share down three points to 37% in a month. |
| That still put the Tories ahead of Labour on 33% and the Lib Dems on 21%. | That still put the Tories ahead of Labour on 33% and the Lib Dems on 21%. |
| Favourite contenders | Favourite contenders |
| The prime minister has said he will stand down within a year, with allies stressing that May is a likely date, to coincide with the polls being held on the third day of that month. | The prime minister has said he will stand down within a year, with allies stressing that May is a likely date, to coincide with the polls being held on the third day of that month. |
| The poll suggests the chancellor remains the favourite to become the next prime minister - he was the preferred choice of one out of every three of those surveyed. | The poll suggests the chancellor remains the favourite to become the next prime minister - he was the preferred choice of one out of every three of those surveyed. |
| In second place was the Home Secretary, John Reid, named by 7% - not far ahead of his predecessor, Charles Clarke, on 5%. | In second place was the Home Secretary, John Reid, named by 7% - not far ahead of his predecessor, Charles Clarke, on 5%. |
| Education Secretary Alan Johnson had the support of 4% of those polled. | Education Secretary Alan Johnson had the support of 4% of those polled. |
| Mr Johnson has voiced interest in the deputy leadership role but has so far refused to confirm whether he will also square up against Mr Brown. | Mr Johnson has voiced interest in the deputy leadership role but has so far refused to confirm whether he will also square up against Mr Brown. |
| ICM Research interviewed 1,003 people by phone on 13 and 14 September. | ICM Research interviewed 1,003 people by phone on 13 and 14 September. |