Howard looks at tax cut agenda

Howard and Kennedy prepare for general election

Howard and Kennedy prepare for general election

The leaders of the two main opposition parties are set to launch the key themes of their general election campaigns on Monday.

Michael Howard and Charles Kennedy are due to brief journalists on the areas in which the campaign will be fought.

No date for the election has yet been announced, but most of Westminster is working on a likely date of May 5.

Likely to headline is the Conservatives spending plans.

On Sunday, Mr Howard said they had identified £35 billion in possible spending cuts – which he attributed to Government “waste”.

Today, he is expected to promise that a future Conservative government would cut taxes.

Mr Howard will also be keen to shrug off a weekend poll, which suggested that Labour could again be elected with a landslide majority.

Mr Kennedy is expected to pour scorn on the Tory plans, and claim that the Lib Dems have been the most effective opposition in this parliament.

He is likely to cite opposition to top up fees and the war in Iraq whilst also promising reforms to the council tax system.

Last week, the Labour Party launched a series of posters all arguing that “Britain is working” and seeking to compare its economic record with the Conservatives.