Soaring High

NATO8217;s air attacks on Yugoslavia have strengthened Tony Blair8217;s standing as one of the most popular British premiers since World War II, according to a new opinion poll. The poll for Friday8217;s Daily Telegraph found two thirds of voters back him as prime minister. That support exceeds former premier Margaret Thatcher8217;s highest standing, and includes more than 40 per cent of the Opposition Conservatives she once led.

Her support just after the 1982 Falklands War victory was 52 per cent, and her highest ever was 53 per cent in September 1983, the paper said. Blair8217;s current rating is well above that, with 67 per cent satisfied with the way he is doing his job now. The survey by Gallup showed half of all people would choose Blair8217;s Labour party if there was an early general election, compared to 27 per cent for the Conservatives.

In the event of an election now, 57 per cent of people would want Blair as prime minister again, up from 51 per cent last month, it added.