Tony Blair has been warned by Labour's “awkward squad” MPs to expect trouble on the backbenches if he fails to look for consensus in the parliamentary party before pushing throughcontentious reforms.

The Labour majority, down to 66 from 161, means backbenchers who tried to derail legislation during the 2001 parliament are in a stronger position. Battered by a series of rebellions over Iraq, foundation hospitals and university top-up fees, Mr Blair might find it even harder to avoid defeats in what could be a dramatic third term.