One week to go: Leaders in poll push

The big three political parties are set for a major campaign push just one week before the country goes to the polls on May 5.

As the parties enter the last seven days of the election campaign, conflicting messages are giving out an unclear picture of public opinion.

While Labour has a commanding poll lead, the party fears apathy could undermine its attempt for a historic third term in government.

Opinion polls give Labour a lead of between four and 10 per cent amongst the population as a whole.

But the margin is dramatically reduced amongst the group of voters who say they are certain to vote.

As the campaign enters the critical phase, both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats are turning their fire on the integrity of the prime minister.

Michael Howard yesterday refused to apologise for his repeated assertions that the prime minister is a proven liar.

"I'm not going to be stopped from telling the truth," he told journalists in West London.

"I'm taking a stand on the things that really matter and I will say it as I see it.

"I'm a pretty direct sort of a person who when something needs to be said I will say it.

"I will carry on saying it because I think the British people want someone who is prepared to take a stand."

But speaking last night Tony Blair flatly rejected Howard's claims.

"I have never told a lie. No. I don't intend to go telling lies to people. I did not lie over Iraq," he told Sky News.

And Blair went on: "I don't want to get into a debate with people who want to trade insults.

"What I would like to do is debate the policy and the future of the country.

"In the end you can play the ball or play the man and if they play the man that's probably because they don't dare play the ball."