Howard: Continuing personal attacks on PM

Michael Howard has put the issue of trust at the centre of the Conservatives' campaign on final day of electioneering.

The Conservative leader pledged to be straight with voters, and criticised the prime minister over the Iraq war.

He said Blair had not told the truth about taxes, national insurance rises and university top-up fees.

Howard said his party's claims of "Labour lies" were not responsible for the negative tone of the election campaign.

"It is the actual untruths. It is not telling the truth that makes politics seem negative, that makes people think all politicians do not tell the truth," he told BBC Breakfast.

"That is what contributes, I think, to the lack of trust in politics and politicians. I just say it as I see it I'm afraid."

The Tory chief said he had never lied for political advantage.

"I don't believe that politicians need to do that and most of them don't do that," he said.

And he said that trust would be "very important at this election".

"We want to be talking about our plans for the future, but Mr Blair and his party simply spend their time not telling the truth about our policies," added Howard.

Seeking to win over wavering voters, Howard was also heading to Guildford and North Yorkshire.

He has been highlighting his party's pledges on cleaner hospitals, more police, lower taxes, school discipline and controlled immigration.

And defeat for the Conservatives was not being contemplated, he said.

"I don't think about that. I think about what I can do today to show the people of this country they do not have to settle for second best."

Howard later headed to the Lib Dem marginal of Guildford where he, despite heckling, he urged voters to send a message to the government tomorrow.