The final round of election campaigning was underway yesterday as politicians engaged in last minutes appeals to the public.

Tony Blair sought to look beyond the immediate impact of the elections, saying neither the Conservatives nor the Liberal Democrats had the "big argument" that would defeat Labour at a general election.

Under threat from the UK Independence Party, the Conservatives also sought to move on.

Party leader Michael Howard looked to next week's EU summit, which is expected to finalise the draft constitution. He warned Labour was making "huge concessions" that would go against national interests.

And writing in the Telegraph today, Howard says that if Labour remains in power, Britain would cease to be a "nation state".

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy highlighted his party's record on the environment and urged the EU to take the lead in pushing for tougher pollution controls.

In London, Conservative candidate Steve Norris took another swipe at the Metropolitan Police's record in dealing with crime.

The FT reports that the attacks have left Met commissioner Sir John Stevens "hopping mad".