Blair rallies Daily Mirror readers

Wednesday, 6 April 2005 12:00 AM

More money will be invested in key public services in a third term of Labour office, the Prime Minister has pledged today in a hand-written letter published in The Daily Mirror.

In the five-page letter, Tony Blair contrasted his party's pledge to spend on the back of seven years of continuous economic prosperity to what he claimed was the Conservatives' desire to axe key public services and jobs in a bid to bear down on costs.

The letter - addressed to "Dear Mirror Readers" - sets out why supporters of the traditionally pro-Labour tabloid should vote again for the party on May 5.

The letter reads: "It was your support and determination to build a better life for your families which helped end 18 years of Tory government and elect Labour in 1997 and again in 2001.

"On May 5th, it will be your votes again which will be vital in deciding whether this country keeps going forward with Labour or goes back with the Tories.

"Britain has gone forward in the last eight years, In every community you can see real and substantial progress. Of course, much remains to be done. But our economy is stronger. Our schools and hospitals are better. Our cities more prosperous. Our country is fairer."

Although acknowledging "big disagreements" over Iraq, Mr Blair looked domestically to Labour's strong economic record under Chancellor Gordon Brown to convince floating voters.

"I know, though, there is much more still to do. Life remains a real struggle for so many families. I want to keep Britain moving forward.

"I know there have been disappointments, I know there have been disagreements. Some, as over Iraq, were big.

"But I also know that for Britain to return to the times and policies we left behind in 1997 would be disastrous."

He beseeched readers to vote Labour to secure lasting economic growth, sustained investment and improvements in public services.

Meanwhile, The Sun yesterday suggested it may switch allegiances to the Tories, saying the Government had failed to deliver on an "unrepeatable chance" to change Britain for the better.

Political editor, Trevor Kavanagh, said Labour had to "deliver what they have failed to deliver so far".

"We have given them a very fair wind over two full parliaments and I think that most of the public are a little disappointed as are our readers with the delivery," he said.

"They came into power with a very substantial majority which was repeated in 2001. They had what was described by Treasury mandarins as a Rolls-Royce of an economy and the tremendous goodwill of the British people.

"They could have done almost anything. It was an unrepeatable chance to change Britain permanently and irrevocably to the benefit of the nation - the reform of public services, they could have done something about the desperate plight of people's pensions, which wasn't so bad then - but they have failed to take on board almost all of those."

Meanwhile, in an email message yesterday Mr Blair urged Labour supporters to fight for "every seat and every vote".

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