Blair to put off elections?

By Hasan Suroor

LONDON, MARCH 31. If the newspaper which claims to have the ears of Downing Street is to be believed, the general election is to be put off by a month - from May 3, the Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair's magic date for months - to June 7. The Sun, which only a few days ago had confidently announced ``IT'S MAY 3,'' saidtoday the poll was ``OFF.''

Its more cautious stablemate, The Times, also led with the same story but, avoiding the brash self-assurance of The Sun, said Mr. Blair was still consulting his Ministers and advisers, though he was ``close to a decision'' to delay the election to devote more time to direct the fight against the foot-and-mouth crisis.

There was no official word and a formal announcement was not expected until Monday - the absolute deadline for taking a decision either way because of constitutional requirements. The Government was reported to be sharply divided with big guns like the Chancellor, Mr. Gordon Brown, and the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. John Prescott, pressing that the Prime Minister stick to his May 3 plan. The Culture Secretary, Mr. Chris Smith, said in a radio interview that a delay would send out a wrong message abroad and affect tourism. Mr. Prescott dismissed the Tories' and farmers' demand for a delay saying a decision ``does not belong to the Tories (and) it damn well doesn't belong to the farmers either.''

An overwhelming majority of Labour MPs - barring those from rural constituencies - favours a May 3 election and the chairman of the party's parliamentary wing, Mr. Clive Soley, who did a headcount, has conveyed the mood to Mr. Blair who himself has been insisting in recent weeks that a delay would create a wrong impression overseas that Britain was ``closed to business.'' This could do enormous damage to the already crippled tourist industry.

But after visiting several areas affected by the foot- and-mouth disease and listening to farmers, he is believed to have sensed the public mood which is against an election inthe midst of a national crisis.

In the past few days, he has been saying that his first priority is to ``get on top'' of the crisis and election is far from his mind. Observers say he does not want to give the impression of being ``insensitive'' to public opinion and play into the hands of the Tories who have been accusing him of``arrogance.'' The rethinking is believed to have been influenced by several factors, not the least by the latest opinion poll which shows Labour still way ahead of the Tories inspite of widespread dissatisfaction with the Government's handling of the foot-and- mouth.

With such a formidable lead, Mr. Blair can afford to wait for another month from a position of strength, it is stated. Far from risking anything, he might even end up increasing his lead after being seen to be responding to public sentiment. The appeal by some bishops to delay the election might also contribute to a final decision as Mr. Blair is believed to be sensitive to views of religious leaders though some of his MPs have criticised the bishops for ``meddling'' in politics. One thing is clear: the election would be held in spring and the option of an autumn election, favoured by some, is ruled out.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : International
Previous : Hand Milosevic over to The Hague: U.S.
Next     : Putin popularity rises