British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair and Tory leader Mr William Hague today prepared for their last public clash before the election by drawing their battle lines.
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Ahead of their televised Commons contest this afternoon, Mr Blair rallied Labour MPs, telling them the economy was the most important dividing line between the parties. Mr Hague unveiled posters mocking the government's record.
According to his spokesman, Mr Blair urged a private meeting of Labour backbenchers in the Commons to seek a "mandate for change" and said other issues in the "fundamental choice" facing the country were investment in public services, Europe and social division.
He said the Tories had been "a useless opposition and they would make a useless government".
Mr Hague unveiled five posters mocking Labour's five pledges at the last election - in a foretaste of the fierce contest to come.
"Never has a party taxed so much and delivered so little," he said in London's Battersea Park.
The Tory posters said school class sizes were bigger, the asylum system was in chaos, taxes were increasing, NHS waiting lists were longer and violent crime was rising.
PA