Blair stars in Clause IV tape

A videotape showing Tony Blair and John Prescott arguing the case for changing Clause IV is to be sent to every constituency party as part of the Labour leadership's battle to reform the constitution.

Detailed consideration is also being given to a membership ballot to seek endorsement for the new clause ahead of Labour's decisive special conference on 30 April.

The tape shows how seriously the leadership is taking opposition to ending the commitment to "the common owner- ship of the means of production, distribution and exchange". It is intended to win backing for the new clause in the constituencies, where th e Keep Clause IV campaign claims it has a majority.

supporters of a ballot believe the move would make it much harder for activists to mandate delegates to vote to keep Clause IV at the special conference.