Tony Blair and Michael Howard both sought to focus on their plans for choice in public services yesterday in a bid to move the media agenda on from Europe.

The prime minister hinted at radical school and hospital reforms to be unveiled in the next few weeks.

Blair told journalists that Labour would go "further and faster" in a third term with a greater diversity of services.

Meanwhile the Conservative leader used a speech to rebrand his party's proposals for health and education passports as the "right to choose".

Howard wants to subsidise private provision and guarantee that patients and pupils will be able to select which NHS service or school they make use of.