05/04/2006

Blair and Brown launch local election campaign

Prime Minister Tony Blair and Chancellor Gordon Brown have launched Labour's manifesto for the local elections in England on May 4.

Mr Blair and Mr Brown presented a united front, following fresh allegations of a continuing rift between the pair.

Launching the campaign at London Docklands, the Prime Minister said that there were three key messages of the campaign. He said: "The first is that the average council tax in the country is lower under Labour than under the Liberal Democrats or Conservative authorities. Second, we are the champions of the campaign against anti-social behaviour. Third, we are the party that believes in education for all, not simply a privileged few.

"But it all depends on a strong economy and, thanks to Gordon, we have got a strong economy."

Earlier this week, Mr Blair dismissed reports of a rift between himself and Mr Brown. There have been reports that the pair were divided over Lord Turner's proposed pension reforms.

However, on Tuesday, the Chancellor said that he and the Prime Minister had reached a 90 to 95% consensus on pensions.

The local elections will take place in 20 English unitary authorities, 32 London boroughs, 36 metropolitan districts and 88 English shire districts.

(KMcA/SP)

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