TB & GB: "Labour best suited to run economy"

Ministers have made a last-minute appeal to the public to vote Labour, insisting that victory cannot be taken for granted.

The prime minister and chancellor were joined by other members of the Cabinet in north London on Wednesday as they warned against voting for the Liberal Democrats or staying at home.

Seeking to convince the public of the importance of voting Labour just 24 hours ahead of polling day, Tony Blair said the election was a "simple and fundamental choice" between Labour and the Tories.

"People either wake up on May 6 with a Labour government or a Conservative government," he said.

"The central question of this campaign is which party is best for the future of Britain - which party is best able to run and manage our economy in the interests of hard-working families."

Citing the economy, health and education, the prime minister said "there are big choices on all the main areas of policy".

"There's only one choice in terms of government - a Labour government or a Conservative government," he said.

"Between now and when the polls close, we are going to be out in every single part of the country, making our case with conviction and confidence, because we believe it is the right thing for the British people."

Polls

With polls suggesting that his party is heading for a third term in office, Blair earlier claimed that key marginal seats were still in the balance.

He told GMTV: "The point about a general election is that it's fought constituency by constituency.

"Whatever the opinion polls say, in the key seats a few hundred votes or a few thousand votes can determine it either way. We are very much saying to people in those key constituencies, if you have got the Conservatives in second place and you want to keep a Labour MP you have got to get out and vote."

The final joint appearance of Blair and Gordon Brown came a day after their dash around a series of key marginal constituencies where they sought to shore up support for Labour by stressing economic stability.

Today they will complete their campaign trail of swing seats before heading to their own constituencies for polling day.

Economy

At a press conference in marginal Finchley, Brown said Labour had proved itself competent on the economy, whereas the Conservative "spending, tax and borrowing figures do not add up".

"But the choice is not just about which party has the best record on the economy. Because elections are about the future, not just the past," he said.

"Economic stability will continue to come first, and we will do nothing to put that stability at risk."

In an article in the Guardian, the chancellor continued to warn Labour supporters against voting Lib Dem.

"There are real consequences of a protest vote that risks inadvertently returning the Conservatives to power, and which, by punishing Labour, would end up punishing the people who most need Labour," Brown wrote on the eve of the poll.

Leadership

Deputy prime minister John Prescott added that while travelling the country during the campaign, he "had got no sense at all that people want the Tories back".

"But if you want a Labour government you have to come out and vote for it," he said.

Environment secretary Margaret Beckett said voters are "not just electing individual MPs in their constituencies," but a prime minister.

Arguing that there are only two choices for the job she said: "I believe Tony Blair has the leadership qualities Michael Howard lacks."

And foreign secretary Jack Straw said Labour will continue to prioritise Africa, peace in the Middle East, and Iraq's transition to democracy.

In an interview with Channel 4 News last night, the prime minister sought to reassure voters concerned about possible tax rises.

He said the last rise in National Insurance would be enough to ensure the NHS remains fully funded.

"By 2008, for the first time, this country will be up to the European average and I think that will be to the great advantage of the country," said Blair.

And he warned voters: "Your mortgage is at risk. Your job is at risk. A stable economy is at risk.

"The investment in schools and hospitals - they are all at risk if the Conservatives are returned to office."

On Radio 4's Today programme on Wednesday, he confirmed that Labour is considering reversing its previous reclassification of cannabis.

"My basic hunch about this is that this is an area where it is so important that the signals are strong, that you just don't want to take any risks with it," he said.

Future

And looking to the future, he appeared to water down his previous pledge to serve a full third term if re-elected.

"There is going to be a change at some point... you can leave the precise detail of it until later," Blair said.

"People understand that there is a finite time for any political leader. The reason I want to carry on now is I believe passionately that there are things that we can do...I actually believe I too have something to contribute to this."

Blair said he wanted to stay in power "because we have still got things to do for the country".

"Our health service and schools are better, but not nearly better enough," he added on Channel 4.

"The economy is strong but we have got massive challenges for the future.

"I want to be part of putting investment into our country, breaking down the barriers that hold people back and giving them opportunity."