Blair: Postponed announcement

The prime minister has postponed the announcement of a May 5 general election until tomorrow as a mark of respect for Pope John Paul II.

Tony Blair had been expected to travel to Buckingham Palace this morning to seek a dissolution of parliament and a general election early next month.

But following the death of the Pope over the weekend the announcement of the long-awaited election has been postponed.

"The prime minister will be attending vespers at Westminster Cathedral tomorrow afternoon at 4.30pm," the Number 10 spokesman said on Sunday.

"In response to speculation we can confirm that he will not be going to Buckingham Palace tomorrow."

Campaign

While the early phase of the election campaign appears set to be muted following the Pope's death, the parties are primed for a May 5 general election.

Parliament is likely to be dissolved later this week - or next Monday at the latest.

That will set in train a three-and-a-half week election campaign which appears set to be bitterly contested.

Conservatives are hoping to move the debate on from their spending plans to the key areas identified by party strategist Lynton Crosby.

The Tories will campaign on lower taxes, school discipline, cleaner hospital, more police and controlled immigration.

Labour, however, is to mount a strong assault on the Tories - pledging new money for schools and hospitals against a background of the chancellor's stable economy.

The Liberal Democrats, meanwhile, hope to resurrect opposition to the Iraq war and capitalise on dissatisfaction with the council tax.

The party will also pledge to fund its commitments through a new 50 per cent income tax rate on the country's highest earners.

Private polling

Some opinion polls have predicted that the election could be closely fought, but many expect a third term Labour government to be returned with a reduced majority.

The prime minister enjoys an average opinion poll lead of around seven per cent, although private party polling suggests he could have a nine point margin over Michael Howard's Conservatives.

Party sources believe turnout will be a crucial factor in delivering an historic third Labour majority.

Senior figures including Gordon Brown and Robin Cook are to be deployed around the country in order to energise Labour's apathetic grassroots.

In a reflection that the Blair factor has worn off in some areas, local literature will avoid any text or images involving the Labour leader.

Howard, however, hopes that his unashamedly populist message will mobilise support in areas where trust in Labour has fallen.

He has dismissed opinion polls and predicts his party will make gains in a raft of target seats.

But the Liberal Democrats are mounting a strong challenge and hope to make up to 20 gains when the election comes.

The party is pitting itself against Labour MPs in inner city seats and also hopes to target senior Tories such as David Davis and Oliver Letwin in their rural constituencies.