Party leaders: Gearing up for "campaign proper"

Downing Street has announced that Tony Blair will not visit Buckingham Palace on Monday to seek the dissolution of parliament for a general election.

The delay follows the death of the Pope and the mass mourning around the country and the globe.

Instead of meeting the Queen - though such a move was never officially announced - the prime minister will visit Westminster Cathedral where he will attend vespers.

While the announcement will not come on Monday, Blair is still expected to confirm the date of election early this week.

Opinion polls have suggested varying levels of public support for each of the parties, but Labour remains clear favourite in a campaign likely to be hard fought.

Public campaigning has all but stopped this weekend following the death of the Pope.

The prime minister had been expected to go to the palace on Monday morning, before announcing that the general election will be held on May 5.

But on Sunday it was revealed that any announcement would be delayed by the death of the Pope.

"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."

Parliament is likely to be dissolved on Monday April 11 - to allow this week's royal wedding to take place in an apolitical manner.

Cabinet

What was almost certainly the final political Cabinet meeting of this parliament took place on Thursday with discussions centred on putting the economy and opportunity at the heart of Labour's bid to win an historic third term.

The chancellor, who had been sidelined by the prime minister's decision to make Alan Milburn election co-ordinator, is now taking a more prominent role, pledging to create a million more homeowners.

Gordon Brown said more people "must and will have the chance to own their own home.

"The Britain I believe in is a Britain of ambition and aspiration where there is no ceiling on talent, no cap on potential, and no limit to opportunity," he said.

Opposition

The Tories are meanwhile hoping to gain fresh impetus to their campaign following setbacks over the past week.

Conservatives were criticised by police chiefs for claiming violent crime had risen in various constituencies using figures that made real comparisons very difficult.

The archbishop of Canterbury also called on party leaders to avoid negative campaigning after attacks on Gypsies and asylum seekers by the party.

It followed the sacking of Conservative deputy chairman Howard Flight for saying his party hoped to make further cuts in public sector spending in the future.

Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats have been highlighting their pledge to abolish the council tax in favour of a local income tax.

Britain's third largest party is hoping to make a decisive breakthrough in their bid to become the official opposition.