CONSERVATIVE PARTY ON THE ROPES

Britain's ruling Conservative Party took it on the chin yesterday, losing nearly all its seats in local elections. In England, Prime Minister John Major's party, in power for over 16 years, was reduced to controlling only a few town halls. The country's Labor Party had its best showing in 30 years, garnering 48 percent of the vote, while the conservatives received only 25 percent. The defeat has increased speculation that disgruntled Conservatives will challenge Major for party leadership, but the Prime Minister said today that he's determined to lead his party when elections are held sometime within the next two years.