Howard: Assault on Blair

The row over the cancelled operation of pensioner Margaret Dixon has continued with Michael Howard condemning Tony Blair's "synthetic anger" over the affair.

Following a week of harsh words, the Tory leader used a speech on Sunday to attack the prime minister's response to the scandal.

As a secret Labour memo revealed top level concern at the Tory revival, Howard maintained his assault on Labour's health record.

The Conservative leader claimed that the prime minister's anger was "turned on for the cameras".

In contrast, he said the Conservatives were reflecting the true anger of voters who feel betrayed by Labour's public service record.

Important

"The next election is crucially important to our nation. Conservatives don't just offer a change of management style or personnel. They offer a different set of values. We will restore principle to government," Howard told an audience in Cardiff.

"The party is angry, justifiable, moral anger at the way in which the people who work hardest, play fairest and give most are let down.

"This contrasts with the synthetic anger from Mr Blair, which he turns on for the cameras, every time people dare to question or criticise his government."

Smear

Howard also used his speech to mount an assault on Labour's election tactics.

"Their tactic of fear and smear is clear. It follows a clear set pattern. They lied about our taxation policies, they lied about our plans to spend more money on health and education," he told his audience.

"Their latest lie is our plans for the NHS would force people to pay for treatment. Have they no shame."

Meanwhile, a memo leaked to the Sunday Express newspaper in which Labour sources suggest Howard could win the election has set alarm bells ringing in the government camp.

Whilst some believe the leak is an attempt to mobilise core Labour voters, it also serves to show that Howard has managed to land punches on the government over recent weeks.

Commons leader Peter Hain entered the debate on Sunday when he warned that Labour voters were displaying "dangerous complacency" ahead of the election.

"It's a rather dangerous complacency and apathy that's very worrying for us, that people, because they think it is a shoo-in for us, don't feel the need to come out and vote," he told GMTV on Sunday.

"So I am quite concerned about that and we really need to sharpen our appeal on the doorstep to people."