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05/04/2005
Blair announces general election
The next general election will take place on May 5, Prime Minister Tony Blair has announced.
Mr Blair went to Buckingham Palace this morning to request the Queen to dissolve parliament.
Speaking after his meeting with the Queen, Mr Blair said that the election was about "a big choice, a fundamental choice" and said there was "a lot at stake".
The Prime Minister said that Labour had a "driving mission" for a third term, saying that the party wanted to widen the opportunities available to British people and "entrench" economic stability and investment in public services to "make it last for the future and never return to the economic risks and the failing public services of the past".
Mr Blair said that Labour was "proud" of what had been achieved during their eight years in power and highlighted a number of areas that the party pledged to keep improving, including health, education, crime and immigration.
Mr Blair said the election presented a big decision and said: "The British people are the boss and they're the ones that will make it."
Conservative leader Michael Howard said that the Labour government had "lost the plot". Speaking before Mr Blair's visit to Buckingham Palace, Mr Howard launched the Conservative's election campaign with promises to deliver improved school discipline, cleaner hospitals, more police on the streets and controlled immigrations. He said: "The choice before the voters on May 5 is very clear: they can either reward Mr Blair for eight years of broken promises and vote for another five years of talk or they can vote Conservative, to support a party that's taken a stand and is committed to action on the issues that matter to hard-working Britons."
Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy pledged to focus on people's hopes, not play on their fears in the party's election campaign. The Liberal Democrats have pledged to scrap university tuition fees and council tax, increase pensions, provide quicker diagnosis for serious health problems and focus on environmental problems. Mr Kennedy said: "People feel badly let down by Labour. They're never going to regain the trust of the British people, Frankly, they don't deserve to."
"The Conservatives just can't offer credibly the fresh alternative that the country is looking for. They are a party of the past, not the future. It’s time for something different. Liberal Democrats are the real alternative."
It has also been announced that a Labour candidate has defected to the Liberal Democrats. Councillor Stephen Wilkinson, a member of Lancashire County council, had been Labour's candidate for Ribble Valley. Mr Wilkinson said: "I feel angry that Labour have become increasingly authoritarian and failed to safeguard civil liberties."
Mr Wilkinson also accused the Labour government of using the "threat of terror" to try to pass legislation on house arrest and identity cards, as well as to justify the war in Iraq. He said: "Who could have thought that a Labour government would become a lapdog to George Bush's right wing Republican administration?"
Parliament will be dissolved on Monday, April 11.
The government may try and rush through any remaining legislation during this week. However, it has been reported that some bills are likely to fail. Home Secretary Charles Clarke has reportedly admitted that plans for identity cards and an offence of incitement to religious hatred may have to be scrapped.
(KmcA)
Mr Blair went to Buckingham Palace this morning to request the Queen to dissolve parliament.
Speaking after his meeting with the Queen, Mr Blair said that the election was about "a big choice, a fundamental choice" and said there was "a lot at stake".
The Prime Minister said that Labour had a "driving mission" for a third term, saying that the party wanted to widen the opportunities available to British people and "entrench" economic stability and investment in public services to "make it last for the future and never return to the economic risks and the failing public services of the past".
Mr Blair said that Labour was "proud" of what had been achieved during their eight years in power and highlighted a number of areas that the party pledged to keep improving, including health, education, crime and immigration.
Mr Blair said the election presented a big decision and said: "The British people are the boss and they're the ones that will make it."
Conservative leader Michael Howard said that the Labour government had "lost the plot". Speaking before Mr Blair's visit to Buckingham Palace, Mr Howard launched the Conservative's election campaign with promises to deliver improved school discipline, cleaner hospitals, more police on the streets and controlled immigrations. He said: "The choice before the voters on May 5 is very clear: they can either reward Mr Blair for eight years of broken promises and vote for another five years of talk or they can vote Conservative, to support a party that's taken a stand and is committed to action on the issues that matter to hard-working Britons."
Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy pledged to focus on people's hopes, not play on their fears in the party's election campaign. The Liberal Democrats have pledged to scrap university tuition fees and council tax, increase pensions, provide quicker diagnosis for serious health problems and focus on environmental problems. Mr Kennedy said: "People feel badly let down by Labour. They're never going to regain the trust of the British people, Frankly, they don't deserve to."
"The Conservatives just can't offer credibly the fresh alternative that the country is looking for. They are a party of the past, not the future. It’s time for something different. Liberal Democrats are the real alternative."
It has also been announced that a Labour candidate has defected to the Liberal Democrats. Councillor Stephen Wilkinson, a member of Lancashire County council, had been Labour's candidate for Ribble Valley. Mr Wilkinson said: "I feel angry that Labour have become increasingly authoritarian and failed to safeguard civil liberties."
Mr Wilkinson also accused the Labour government of using the "threat of terror" to try to pass legislation on house arrest and identity cards, as well as to justify the war in Iraq. He said: "Who could have thought that a Labour government would become a lapdog to George Bush's right wing Republican administration?"
Parliament will be dissolved on Monday, April 11.
The government may try and rush through any remaining legislation during this week. However, it has been reported that some bills are likely to fail. Home Secretary Charles Clarke has reportedly admitted that plans for identity cards and an offence of incitement to religious hatred may have to be scrapped.
(KmcA)
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26 April 2005
Veteran labour MP defects to Lib Dems
Veteran Labour MP Brian Sedgemore has announced his defection to the Liberal Democrats. Mr Sedgemore, who was Labour’s MP for Luton West from 1974 – 1979 and for Hackney South & Shoreditch from 1983, described New Labour as “dead” and urged voters to give Prime Minister Tony Blair “a bloody nose” at the election by voting for the Liberal Democrats.
Veteran labour MP defects to Lib Dems
Veteran Labour MP Brian Sedgemore has announced his defection to the Liberal Democrats. Mr Sedgemore, who was Labour’s MP for Luton West from 1974 – 1979 and for Hackney South & Shoreditch from 1983, described New Labour as “dead” and urged voters to give Prime Minister Tony Blair “a bloody nose” at the election by voting for the Liberal Democrats.
03 May 2005
Party leaders in final election campaign push
The leaders of the three main political parties have been campaigning in earnest as the election campaign heads into the final 48 hours.
Party leaders in final election campaign push
The leaders of the three main political parties have been campaigning in earnest as the election campaign heads into the final 48 hours.
26 September 2005
Brown pays tribute to Blair in conference speech
Chancellor Gordon Brown has paid tribute to Prime Minister Tony Blair’s leadership of the Labour party in a keynote speech at the party’s conference in Brighton.
Brown pays tribute to Blair in conference speech
Chancellor Gordon Brown has paid tribute to Prime Minister Tony Blair’s leadership of the Labour party in a keynote speech at the party’s conference in Brighton.
19 February 2010
Former Minister To Leave Commons
James Purnell, a former senior cabinet minister, is to step down as an MP. Mr Purnell, who resigned as pensions secretary following Labour's substantial defeats in last year's local and European elections, said he did not want to spend "all my life in frontline politics".
Former Minister To Leave Commons
James Purnell, a former senior cabinet minister, is to step down as an MP. Mr Purnell, who resigned as pensions secretary following Labour's substantial defeats in last year's local and European elections, said he did not want to spend "all my life in frontline politics".
04 May 2005
Election race reaches final day
The leaders of the three main political parties have been continuing to campaign furiously on the last day of campaigning before the General Election. Prime Minister Tony Blair was joined by all the members of his Cabinet in Finchley, one of the key marginal seats at this election.
Election race reaches final day
The leaders of the three main political parties have been continuing to campaign furiously on the last day of campaigning before the General Election. Prime Minister Tony Blair was joined by all the members of his Cabinet in Finchley, one of the key marginal seats at this election.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
