Welsh campaign: Leaders launch final assault

Friday saw Tony Blair and Michael Howard both engaged in a last push to secure Welsh votes before the election on May 5.

The prime minister was accompanied by chancellor Gordon Brown on a visit to Barry in the marginal constituency of the Vale of Glamorgan.

They highlighted Labour's record on the economy and the party's future economic policies.

Both men were keen to shake off the Iraq issue, which has hindered Labour's campaign over the last week, and came to a head on Wednesday evening.

Blair said: "We are returning to the big and fundamental choice facing the country - forward or back.

"The Labour government with a strong economy, economic stability, or back with a Tory government that will put that economic stability at risk."

Wider choices

The Conservative leader has also moved on from talking about the legality of the war in Iraq.

At a press conference in Cardiff, Howard said: "We are in the last few days now of campaigning in this general election and it's time to focus on the wider choices people face on this campaign."

He went on to highlight his party's plans to lower taxes, improve school discipline and control immigration.

And he promised to provide the cash for a council tax rebate for Welsh pensioners if the Conservatives should form the next government.

The proposed rebate of up to £500 for the over-65s would have to be approved by the Labour-run Welsh assembly, and it would be up to first minister Rhodri Morgan to implement the policy.

Howard said: "There is every reason why the people of Wales should get the free council tax rebate we are promising.

"Rhodri Morgan will have the money. If he does not give that, he has a lot of explaining to do."

But Labour were quick to respond to Howard's speech, accusing the Tories of being "completely confused" about what they would do in Wales.

"On the one hand, they offer a vote on whether the assembly should continue; on the other, they say the assembly will receive money to carry out Tory policies," the spokesman said.