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| Blair starts English polls push | Blair starts English polls push |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| A strong economy is the basis for a prosperous and fair society, Tony Blair said as he launched Labour's campaign for the English local elections. | A strong economy is the basis for a prosperous and fair society, Tony Blair said as he launched Labour's campaign for the English local elections. |
| The PM said 10 years of investment in local communities by Labour had, among other achievements, improved schools, health and transport, and cut crime. | The PM said 10 years of investment in local communities by Labour had, among other achievements, improved schools, health and transport, and cut crime. |
| He said anti-social behaviour was a key issue for voters and Labour had worked hard to push through laws to tackle it. | He said anti-social behaviour was a key issue for voters and Labour had worked hard to push through laws to tackle it. |
| The Tories and Lib Dems have also been focusing campaigning on law and order. | The Tories and Lib Dems have also been focusing campaigning on law and order. |
| Visiting Nottingham with Gordon Brown, Mr Blair praised the chancellor's stewardship of the economy which had become "one of the strongest in the world". | Visiting Nottingham with Gordon Brown, Mr Blair praised the chancellor's stewardship of the economy which had become "one of the strongest in the world". |
| In an earlier e-mail to activists, Mr Blair said: "We have made communities more secure, wealthier, fairer and... happier." | In an earlier e-mail to activists, Mr Blair said: "We have made communities more secure, wealthier, fairer and... happier." |
| We are a party who has achieved so much and have even more to do Tony Blair class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/6520855.stm">Tories reveal police plans class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/6520975.stm">Reject Labour, say Lib Dems | |
| The elections take place in 312 local authorities on 3 May, with those for the Scottish Assembly and Welsh Assembly being held the same day. | The elections take place in 312 local authorities on 3 May, with those for the Scottish Assembly and Welsh Assembly being held the same day. |
| Mr Blair, who has said he will leave office this year, is expected to announce a departure date shortly after the results are known. | Mr Blair, who has said he will leave office this year, is expected to announce a departure date shortly after the results are known. |
| He told party activists that "human capital was the single greatest asset" the country had, and it was important to create a successful society where people had hope and opportunity. | He told party activists that "human capital was the single greatest asset" the country had, and it was important to create a successful society where people had hope and opportunity. |
| In his e-mail, Mr Blair said: "What the public wants to know is that we have the determination, the policies and the ambition to keep improving their lives. | In his e-mail, Mr Blair said: "What the public wants to know is that we have the determination, the policies and the ambition to keep improving their lives. |
| "They are looking for optimism and hope from Labour. We should give it to them. We are a party who has achieved so much and have even more to do." | "They are looking for optimism and hope from Labour. We should give it to them. We are a party who has achieved so much and have even more to do." |
| Plans for future | Plans for future |
| He told them he had had "the huge privilege of leading Labour into every campaign for 12 years". | He told them he had had "the huge privilege of leading Labour into every campaign for 12 years". |
| "Over the years our party has worked successfully to make Britain fairer and more prosperous. We have also changed the electoral battleground. | "Over the years our party has worked successfully to make Britain fairer and more prosperous. We have also changed the electoral battleground. |
| "But what's not changed is my enthusiasm for getting our achievements and plans for the future across." | "But what's not changed is my enthusiasm for getting our achievements and plans for the future across." |
| The Liberal Democrats also launched their campaign on Tuesday. | The Liberal Democrats also launched their campaign on Tuesday. |
| Leader Sir Menzies Campbell emphasised the success Lib Dem councils have already had in cutting crime locally. | Leader Sir Menzies Campbell emphasised the success Lib Dem councils have already had in cutting crime locally. |
| The Conservatives have not staged a campaign launch, but did unveil plans for police reform on Tuesday. | The Conservatives have not staged a campaign launch, but did unveil plans for police reform on Tuesday. |