Sun: Blair may not secure its backing

Labour is set to lose the unequivocal backing of the Sun newspaper, it has emerged.

In a front page leader on the day the prime minister had planned to call a May 5 general election, the best-selling tabloid said it had not made a decision about which party to support.

In 1997 Labour received a significant boost after the traditionally Conservative red-top switched its allegiance to Labour.

Tony Blair had courted Rupert Murdoch in recognition of the influence of the tabloid press during election period.

In 1992 the newspaper proclaimed "It's the Sun wot won it" after John Major secured a working majority following a series of anti-Labour front pages in the closing days of the campaign.

This time around the newspaper has said it will reserve judgement until the election.

"On May 5 the nation will decide the path it will take for the next five years," says the newspaper.

"Until then, as ever, the Sun will continue to remain independent of any party.

"Like so many of you our mind has still to be made up."

While the Sun’s opposition to the Conservatives has lessened over recent months it still raises questions about the party’s ability to govern.

"Michael Howard is doing his best to provide leadership. But his shadow cabinet still leave the voters cold."

It is thought that the Tories' assault on Labour in the aftermath of the Iraq war has prevented Murdoch giving his outright support to Howard.

Both the editor of the Sun and the News of the World are reported to be tiring of Blair.

However, the Sun has made clear it will not give its backing to Charles Kennedy’s Liberal Democrats.

"We discount the Lib Dems from the start, because we believe they are unprincipled and unworthy of your vote," said the newspaper.