The Labour Party yesterday revealed its slogan for the election campaign will be "Forward, not back."

In a 13 point advert in the Times, Labour sets out its own version of Tory leader Michael Howard's beliefs.

It asks "What does Michael Howard believe, exactly?" and concludes: "I believe in taking Britain back, not forward."

Alan Milburn, Labour's election supremo, said: "It is not about who Michael Howard is, it is about what he has done and what he promises to do."

Liam Fox dismissed the advert as another example of Labour's negative campaigning.

The Conservative co-chairman said: "Mr Blair boasted that he wanted to take Britain forward, not back.

"But his promise has lasted less than 24 hours. Today he has gone back, back to his old ways of spin and personal abuse."

The new advert comes as reports claim the plans for the Labour manifesto have come under fire within the party.

Some Blairite MPs have warned that the party's radical side is being dulled by the need to compromise in Cabinet and with the civil service.

Meanwhile, in today's Guardian, former foreign secretary Robin Cook argues that if the party put forward "an unremittingly New Labour" manifesto it would neglect the fact that "the whole point of winning an election is to create a fair, open society that reflects our decent, humanitarian values".

Several newspapers carry photographs of Alastair Campbell walking down Downing Street.

Tony Blair's former top spinner has been working at Labour's election headquarters for three weeks and was heavily involved in the selection of the new slogan.