Election: Blair Names The Day

[Jason]

The Prime Minister has named the date of the General Election, after the Queen agreed to approve the dissolution of Parliament.It will be held on Thursday, May 5, as expected.

Tony Blair told reporters in Downing Street his "mission for the third term" was to entrench economic stability and public service investment, adding: "It's a big choice and there's a lot at stake".

May 5 is the day already set for elections for 34 county councils across England, three unitary authorities, Northern Ireland council elections and contests for mayor in four English towns.

The move follows a frantic few days since the death of Pope John Paul II on Saturday, which caused Mr Blair to postpone a Downing Street announcement anticipated yesterday.

The leaders of the Conservative and Liberal Democrats kicked off their campaigns ahead of the announcement.

Michael Howard said people could either reward Mr Blair for eight years of broken promises, or vote for his party "which is taking a stand and has promised action on the issues that matter".

Speaking in Newcastle, Charles Kennedy promised a campaign which would be "positive and ambitious". He said: "I'm not going to spend these precious few weeks doing this country down."

A clutch of opinion polls are likely to give Mr Blair food for thought as he contemplates the looming battle.

Three polls suggest Labour's lead over the Conservatives has fallen to three percentage points or less, while another shows the Tories with a five-point lead.

[janet]

Well folks, i doubt very much i will vote.It would be much better for the country if we had a coalition government were they all work together, that way we may move forward without all the petty quarrels within parliment.

[ollie]

I have always voted labour but dont know this time......

NEVER have NEVER will vote ....not one of those to**ers from any of the parties deserve to run this country .....

[wayneyboy1942]

I will be voting Labour. but please everyone who is of voting age and don't want to vote, please vote,
even if you vote for another party,people have sufferd and died so that we can vote,if you think that they are all a bunch of wasters please spoil the ballot paper,they count the spoilt ones,so your no vote will be registerd,I've always said that there should be an extra box that say's none of these,if you don't vote your letting the parties say 1 you don't care 2 your happy with the way it is 3 your unable to think for yourself,so on voting day please do!!!

[Jason]

Dont know who i'll be voting for yet,i'll wait to see what the candidates have to say!

[jaseyboy]

vote monster raving loony party. they stand for all the good things lol. i think that if you can vote, you should. but thats just me lol...

[grannyclaret]

everyone should use their vote ,,if the the wrong party wins ,its no good moaning after ,,,,,,,a lot of people have short memories ,,so dont just go off the things they say they are going to do ,,look back at the things done and think for yourself ,,,,,,,,,,

[Kiki]

Originally Posted by grannyclaret

everyone should use their vote ,,if the the wrong party wins ,its no good moaning after ,,,,,,,a lot of people have short memories ,,so dont just go off the things they say they are going to do ,,look back at the things done and think for yourself ,,,,,,,,,,

Agree with you Granny C ! :)