Iraq Overshadows Brit Elections

Blair's Party Expected To Win, But Not By As Much As In 1997, 2001

(CBS/AP)  If Labour lawmakers see it that way too, it could mean a quicker exit from power than Blair would like, even if the party wins Thursday's vote. Brown is eager to succeed him as prime minister and could press for a midterm handover if Blair is seen as responsible for a big loss.

"If you value it, vote for it," a Labour slogan said.

Blair has warned anti-war Labour stalwarts against casting a protest vote for the Liberal Democrats, saying that could pave the way for a Tory victory.

"This is tough and it is tight and a few hundred votes or a few thousand votes either way will determine whether people get a Conservative or Labour (lawmaker), a Conservative or Labour government," he told voters in Scotland's hard-fought Dumfries and Galloway district.

Howard headed a focused Tory campaign, pounding on just a few issues — tightening immigration, cutting taxes, cleaning up hospitals. Although Howard supported the Iraq war, he attacked Blair, accusing the prime minister of lying about intelligence and the legality of the invasion and lacking a plan to win the peace.

"The British people can vote for things to stay as they are or they can vote for positive change," Howard said at a Wednesday rally in Guildford, south of London. "If they vote for positive change, ... the country will wake up on Friday to a brighter, better Britain."