Britain's Blair wins crunch vote on school reforms

LONDON, Mar 15 (Reuters) British Prime Minister Tony Blair won a vote in parliament today on his government's flagship school reforms, despite opposition from some members of his ruling Labour Party.

The education bill passed a key hurdle in the lower house by 458 votes to 115.

It was not immediately clear whether Blair had to rely on the votes of the opposition Conservative Party to pass the bill -- an outcome that would prove embarrassing and raise questions about the prime minister's authority.

REUTERS SK RAI0106