Labour working hard, says Blair

Prime Minister Tony Blair headed off on his first campaign tour today - immediately after announcing polling would take place on May 5.

Prime Minister Tony Blair headed off on his first campaign tour today - immediately after announcing polling would take place on May 5.

He was heading by helicopter to a key marginal constituency, where aides said he would show the party "working hard for every vote".

Details of the Prime Minister's schedule were not released in advance, even to the small number of journalists travelling with him.

Announcing the election, on his return from Buckingham Palace having asked the Queen to dissolve parliament, Mr Blair told reporters: "I and my colleagues will be out every day, in every part of Britain, talking to the British people about our driving mission for a third term."

He said the country was facing "a big choice, it's a big decision".

Mr Blair's aides said he would today visit a key marginal seat "where we will be working hard for every vote as we will in every seat. We think the election is going to be a tough fight".

After what is expected to be a hectic start to the campaign, The political knockabout will pause on Friday for the funeral of Pope John Paul II in Rome - being attended by all three party leaders - and the wedding of the Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker Bowles on Saturday.