LAST DRIVE

"Election battle nears its climax

Labour stressed the team effort in their last campaign drive
The final dash for votes is on in the last hours of election campaigning for the political parties.

Labour leader Tony Blair says the election will be "tight" and has claimed the Conservatives would put the economy and public services at risk.

Tory leader Michael Howard says his party would offer action on the people's priorities and open a new "chapter of hope" for Britain.

Charles Kennedy predicted the Lib Dems would take a "massive step forward".

He said it would be much healthier if Mr Blair's majority was curbed by a new influx of Lib Dems MPs.


Final polls

The final opinion polls of the campaign suggest Labour has a lead of between 3% and 6% over the Conservatives, although all the parties forecast surprise results in marginal seats.

A Guardian/ICM poll puts Labour on 38%, the Tories on 32%, the Lib Dems on 22% and others on 8%.

An NOP/Independent survey suggests Labour has 36% support, the Conservatives 33%, the Lib Dems 23% and others 9%.

Labour stands on 38% in a Populus/Times poll, with the Conservatives on 32%, the Lib Dems on 21% and others on 9%.
(bbc)"


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