Leaders clash during PMQ's pantomime

Wednesday, 6 April 2005 12:00 AM

The first full day of the 2005 general election campaign saw the party leaders clash over the despatch box for the last Prime Minister's Questions of the Parliament, ahead of dissolution on Monday.

There was a pantomime element as all three leaders did their best to use every word to boost their election campaigns. None more so when Michael Howard received a backing chorus of "up" or "down" to his litany of Labour's record: "Taxes up, crime up, immigration up, waiting times up, truancy up," - followed by a long list of things that were down (full story).

Before the 1200 showdown, however, the leaders were already on the move.

Tony Blair gave his first interview of the campaign, appearing on GMTV at 0810, during which he gave a strong hint that Chancellor Gordon Brown will not be moved from his post after a Labour victory (full story).

He said: "His record speaks for itself so you would want that record to continue really."

However, the Prime Minister backed away from this apparent position during PMQs, when asked about the Chancellor by Selby Labour MP John Grogan, returning to his previous insistence that "everything is up for grabs".

Seated next to Mr Brown during PMQs, Mr Blair was back beside the Chancellor, and Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt an hour later, when they held a press conference at Labour HQ in London at 1330, stressing the economic themes of their party's campaign (full story).

Earlier in the day, the Chancellor had visited a Sure Start project in south London.

Conservative leader Michael Howard began his day by accusing the Government of being soft on anti-social behaviour and "yobbery", and promising that the Conservatives would not tolerate these social ills (full story).

"We've had eight years of Mr Blair pussy footing around this issue - eight years of spin. It's time for action", Mr Howard declared, before heading to Leeds, to launch the Tories' campaign in Yorkshire.

Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy began the day in Southampton, launching his party's education and children's policies. He outlined plans for a "maternity income guarantee", worth £170 per week, on top of existing maternity benefits for the first six months of a child's life (full story).

In Scotland, the SNP launched their election campaign in Dundee, culminating in a re-enactment of the signing of the historic Declaration of Arbroath, with party leaders in full period dress (full story).

Wednesday evening also saw George Galloway's left wing Respect party launch their election campaign in east London.

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