Party leaders set for poll push

Campaigning is set to reach fever pitch this week as all three main parties stake their final claim for votes.

As the nation enjoys a bank holiday, the political parties will be mounting an 11th hour bid for support in target seats around the country.

Labour has unveiled its latest poster, warning that the Conservatives could win office by the back door.

"If one in 10 Labour voters don't vote, the Tories win," says the poster.

Tony Blair kicked off the poll push with a renewed onslaught on the Conservatives' economic plans.

He said the party's figures did not add up - widening his attack to include the Lib Dems.

"The Conservatives' economic plans collapse under scrutiny. The Liberal Democrat plans simply do not stack up," said Blair on Monday.

"Everything we do and everything we want to do in the future depends on the economy staying strong. Stability was hard-won and we will do nothing to put it at risk."

Tory push

Conservative leader Michael Howard was set to take to the campaign trail in Manchester before returning to London later on Monday.

The Tories are setting out eight action plans for government in a bid to fight a positive campaign in the closing days.

Despite failing to secure a breakthrough in the opinion polls, Howard remains upbeat.

"I believe our message is getting across. People know what is needed for the future of our country and they have a very clear choice on Thursday," he said.

The opposition leader said Tony Blair was attempting to "cling on to office".

Kennedy's pitch

Charles Kennedy, meanwhile, took his campaign to the South West on Monday. He is visiting the constituencies of Mid Dorset and North Poole, Taunton, and Somerton and Frome.

Kennedy is hoping to turn up the heat on the prime minister as Thursday's general election nears.

Despite vowing to fight a positive campaign, Kennedy used an intervention on Monday to get personal with the prime minister.

"The plain truth is that Tony Blair's authority is seriously undermined by Iraq.  Iraq will haunt his premiership and his legacy - just as Suez did Sir Anthony Eden," he said.