British Prime Minister Tony Blair vowed Thursday to accelerate reforms in his new term of office. (AFP file photo)

    LONDON, May 12 (Xinhuanet) -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair vowed Thursday to accelerate reforms in his new term of office.

    Promising to unfold a "bold third term" to address priorities of British people, Blair said the government would focus on public service reform, enforcing school discipline, tightening up the immigration system and tackling anti-social behaviors.

    He made the remarks at the first news briefing since he won a historic third term in the election.

    "Respect towards other people is a modern yearning as much as atraditional one," he said, adding the government will address "lack of respect in society" and the "yobbish behavior," which had been a big concern of the voters.

    Since Labor's majority seats in parliament is dramatically reduced from 161 in 2001 to 67, Blair has been under great pressure to give away his power within one year or 18 months of his office. Some Labor MPs are blaming him for the reduced seats and ask him to give power to Gordon Brown, the Chancellor of the Exchequer. However, he declined to give any details on whether he would step down in the midst of his third term, brushing it aside with "the country wants us to get on with the business now."

    As to British presence in Iraq, the prime minister said: "We'llstay in Iraq and see the job through." Enditem