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Brown, Labor Savaged in UK Elections

Labor posts worst election results in 40 years

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted May 2, 2008 5:43 AM CDT

(Newser) – Labor has suffered its worst showing in 40 years in local elections across England and Wales. Just one year after Gordon Brown became prime minister, his party pulled only 24% of the projected national vote, 20 points behind the Tories and behind even the third-party Liberal Democrats. As for the night's most closely watched race—for mayor of London—both parties privately project that Tory challenger Boris Johnson has won.

The Tories also made major inroads in England's north, traditionally a Labor stronghold. Brown will now face intense pressure to relaunch his government. If the local results were replicated in a general election, the Tories would sweep into Downing Street with a majority of well over 100 seats.

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Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah leave a polling station after voting in London, Thursday, May 1, 2008. Labour had its worst night in 40 years in local elections yesterday. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah walk towards Downing Street after voting in London, Thursday, May 1, 2008. Labour had its worst night in 40 years in local elections yesterday. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

A party teller ticks off a voter as they enter the polling station in St Nicholas' church in Standish near Stroud on May 1 2008 in Gloucestershire, England. (Getty Images)

A year into Gordon Brown's premiership, Labour has gone down to its worst election defeat in 40 years. (AP Photo/Sang Tan, Pool)

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David Cameron, whose Tory Party won 45% of the vote in last night's local elections. (webcameronuk)

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Brown, Labor Savaged in UK Elections