2005 United Kingdom general election — election of members to the House of Commons in 2005
Labour won an unprecedented third consecutive majority, though with the smallest vote share of any majority government in UK history to that point.
Key Facts
- Seats contested
- 646 seats
- Labour seats won
- 355 seats
- Labour vote share
- 35.2 %
- Labour majority
- 66 seats
- Conservative seats won
- 198 seats
- Liberal Democrat seats won
- 62 seats
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Labour entered the election with a large parliamentary majority but faced significant public discontent over Tony Blair's decision to commit British troops to the Iraq War in 2003. Despite retaining leads over the Conservatives on economic competence, Blair's personal popularity had declined sharply, and the Liberal Democrats mobilised anti-war sentiment among disaffected Labour supporters.
On 5 May 2005, the United Kingdom held a general election to fill 646 House of Commons seats. Labour, led by Blair, won 355 seats with 35.2% of the vote, securing a third consecutive majority government — the first time the party had achieved this. The Conservatives won 198 seats and the Liberal Democrats won 62, their highest seat count as a party to that date.
Blair's reduced majority of 66 seats — down from 167 in 2001 — was widely read as a rebuke over Iraq and a breakdown of public trust. Michael Howard subsequently resigned as Conservative leader. Blair himself stepped down as prime minister in 2007. Labour would not win another general election until 2024.
Political Outcome
Labour won a third consecutive majority government with 355 seats and 35.2% of the vote, though with a reduced majority of 66 seats.
Labour majority government led by Tony Blair with a majority of 167 seats
Labour majority government led by Tony Blair with a reduced majority of 66 seats