Blair's majority shaved as UK election finally ends

LONDON - Prime Minister Tony Blair's parliamentary majority shrunk by one seat when the final piece in Britain's general election puzzle finally fell into place.

Veteran opposition Conservative Patrick Cormack was comfortably returned to power in the middle England constituency of Staffordshire South by 13,343 votes to his ruling Labour party opponent's 4496.

The constituency was not fought on Britain's May 5 election day because the Liberal Democrat candidate died during the campaign.

Cormack, who has held the safe Conservative seat since 1983 and retained it with a 6881 majority in 2001, called for a review of the law that led to such a delayed vote.

"The general election was brought to a shuddering halt by a tragedy for which we still grieve," he said in a speech after the result was announced. "This long delay ... does indicate that the law may need a little re-examination."

Blair's majority in parliament is reduced by 1 seat to 66 as a result.

That will make little difference to his authority although his government is still getting to grips with operating without the 160-seats-plus majorities it enjoyed over the previous eight years.

A number of hardcore Labour rebels could now threaten Blair's legislative plans if they side with opposition parties as they did on several occasions during the Prime Minister's second term in power.

- REUTERS