Britain's Blair claims a third term

LONDON — Tony Blair's Labor Party claimed victory in the United Kingdom's parliamentary elections Thursday. The win, based on preliminary voting, gives President Bush's chief ally in the war in Iraq a third term as prime minister.With 543 of the 646 seats counted, Labour had won 326, enough to form a government.Michael Howard, leader of the opposition Conservative Party, conceded early today that Blair would be the first prime minister in Labor's 105-year history to win a third consecutive term. Margaret Thatcher of the Conservatives won three straight terms in 1979-90.