Labour comes third in local elections

Thursday8217;s local Council poll outcome 8212; likely to be echoed in London mayor results due on Friday night and European Parliament results on Sunday 8212; will renew speculation about Blair8217;s leadership.

But despite the humiliation, which parallels his ally President George W. Bush8217;s ratings slide over Iraq, analysts still expect Blair to win a third general election in 2005.

With results in from 95 of the 166 contested councils, Labour had lost 234 seats and control of seven Councils, including the one-time northern stronghold of Newcastle.

The BBC projected Labour8217;s vote share at 26 per cent, way behind the Conservatives on 38 per cent, and also behind Britain8217;s third party, the Liberal Democrats, on 30 per cent. 8212;Reuters