At his final campaign press conference, the prime minister warned wavering Labour voters not to act against him over Iraq.

Tony Blair said: "If people make a protest vote, they could end up with a Conservative government."

Labour strategists fear the party's lead in the polls could be overturned in the marginals - where abstentions among 800,0000 voters disgruntled over the war could hold the key.

However, Labour officials have admitted that Michael Howard's low popularity with the voters has worked in their favour.

"The trust thing has been misrepresented as a vote-loser for Labour," said one.

The Mirror carries a handwritten note from the prime minister setting out nine reasons to vote Labour, and also an article from the chancellor, who warns that voting Liberal Democrat could let Michael Howard into Downing Street.