Blair's Win Historic But Humbling

First UK Prime Minister To Win Third Term, But Party Loses Seats

(CBS/AP)  "I think we can be really proud of what we've achieved," said Blair, who was greeted with cheers and applause by party staff and supporters when he arrived back in central London from Sedgefield. "We've got a mandate to govern this country again," added Blair, who celebrates his 52nd birthday Friday.

The British Broadcasting Corp. projected Labour would win 66 more seats than all the other parties combined. Sky News put the Labour majority at 64 seats. Results in 610 constituencies showed a turnout of more than 61 percent of the electorate, up 2 percent from 2001's record low.

Official results for the remaining seats were expected to trickle in through the weekend.

The margin of a Labour victory also could have consequences for Britain's "special relationship" with the United States. The battering Blair took over Iraq during the campaign suggested that any future British leader will probably be wary of backing Washington militarily in the face of hostile domestic opinion.

A politically weakened Blair, who has said he will not seek another term, also could find it difficult to persuade British voters to approve a proposed constitution for the European Union, which requires ratification by all member states.

Conservative leader Michael Howard, whose party has floundered in opposition since it was decisively ousted from government in 1997, was bolstered by an improved seat tally for the Conservatives.

Despite backing the war, Howard accused Blair of misrepresenting flimsy British intelligence on Iraqi weapons of mass destruction and lying about the legal case for war. He urged voters to "wipe the smirk" off Blair's face. Howard, however, congratulated Blair on his victory on Friday.

"We have sent a message to Mr. Blair, and in the next Parliament we will be able to form a stronger opposition," he said.

Blair was once regarded as Labour's most prized electoral asset. He banked on his trustworthiness and described himself as a "pretty straight guy" soon after winning power in 1997.

Labour's diminished majority is a stark indication of how far his popularity has crashed since the landslide victories of 1997 and 2001. Blair could now face difficulties controlling a disaffected rump of Labour lawmakers deeply disillusioned with his leadership, especially over Iraq, and the centrist flavor he has given the traditionally socialist party.