Conservatives trounce Labor: The Conservative Party swept Britain’s local elections last week, in a severe blow to Prime Minister Gordon Brown of the Labor Party. Nationwide, the Labor Party fell to third place, taking 24 percent of the votes for council seats, compared with 44 percent for the Conservatives and 25 percent for the Liberal Democrats. It was Labor’s worst showing in local elections in 40 years. “I feel responsible,” said Brown. “There are no excuses on my part at all.” He blamed rising gas and food prices, as well as his recent decision to raise the tax rate on the lowest income bracket from 10 percent to 20 percent. Brown, who is serving out ex–Prime Minister’s Tony Blair’s term, will have to face voters within the next two years.
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