Prime Minister Tony Blair

A recent newspaper poll of Britons' views of Prime Minister Tony Blair's ten years in power painted an unflattering picture of his premiership, with 57 percent saying he has stayed in office too long.

According to the Observer newspaper, many people now believe the country is more dangerous, less happy and less pleasant than it was in the pre-Blair era.

Some 61 percent disagreed that it is now more pleasant than in 1997, when a fresh-faced Blair won his first election victory.

A further 69 percent thought it was more dangerous and 58 percent disagreed it was happier.

There was some cheer for Blair, though -- 51 percent thought Britain had become a better place for ethnic¹ minorities under his leadership, while 61 percent said the situation for homosexuals had improved.

The findings seem to dash the hopes of Blair's advisors² that he should "go with the crowds wanting more."

Blair has said he will step down as prime minister before September.

His final months in office have been dogged by a police investigation³ into allegations of impropriety over party funding -- the "cash for honours" probe -- and wrangles⁴ over who should take over from him.

Finance Minister Gordon Brown is favourite but faces bitter opposition⁵ from elements loyal to Blair within the ruling Labour Party.

The poll of 2,034 adults was conducted from March 16-19.