Blair faces Iraq backlash in by-elections

Britons in two ethnically diverse cities are voting today in by-elections that could produce a backlash over Iraq, the day after…

Britons in two ethnically diverse cities are voting today in by-elections that could produce a backlash over Iraq, the day after a damning report exposed deep flaws in the case Mr Tony Blair made for war.

Birmingham Hodge Hill and Leicester South constituencies are strongholds of the Labour Party and with a general election expected in less than a year, defeat would be humiliating for Mr Blair.

With large Muslim communities in both areas, opposition parties have sought to turn the vote into a referendum on Mr Blair's Iraq policy, although domestic issues like schools, hospitals and crime have also featured prominently.

Results are expected early tomorrow.