Despite being a persistent critic of some of the government's policies, the paper supported Labour in both subsequent elections the party won. For the 2005 general election, The Sun backed Blair and Labour for a third consecutive election win and vowed to give him "one last chance" to fulfil his promises, despite berating him for several weaknesses including a failure to control immigration. However, it did speak of its hope that the Conservatives (led by Michael Howard) would one day be fit for a return to government. This election (Blair had declared it would be his last as prime minister) resulted in Labour's third successive win but with a much reduced majority. COUNT 5
QSN1 Who did The Sun endorse in the 2005 general election? ANS1 Blair and Labour QSN2 What is one of the weaknesses The Sun thought Blair possessed? ANS2 failure to control immigration QSN3 Who was leading the Conservatives at this time? ANS3 Michael Howard QSN4 What did Blair state about the 2005 election? ANS4 it would be his last as prime minister QSN5 What was the result of the 2005 election? ANS5 Labour's third successive win