Relations between the prime minister and the chancellor will face a critical test when and if the prime minister conducts his post-election reshuffle.

Gordon Brown is said to want to be widely consulted over the make-up of the new government and will insist on protection for his allies.

He wants to see foreign secretary Jack Straw left in his post and also wants Alistair Darling's future assured.

The Times predicts that the prime minister will leave Jack Straw, Charles Clarke and John Reid in their current positions, should Labour win on Thursday.

Meanwhile David Blunkett, who is currently on a campaign tour of the country, is said to be confident of a comeback in the reshuffle.

Interviewed in the Mirror, Tony Blair and Brown remain focused on the election.

The chancellor says: "Michael Howard is on an '80s revival tour and our people, Labour people, remember what they did in the '80s and '90s and they have not changed, they are unreconstructed."