Blair warns voters against election complacency
Tony Blair today warned Labour supporters not to allow Michael Howard’s Conservative Party into Downing Street “through the back door”.
In the closing speech at Labour’s spring conference in Gateshead, the Prime Minister issued a stern rallying cry to activists not to be complacent about victory in the forthcoming general election – expected on May 5th.
Labour strategists are worried the party’s current lead in the polls will give supporters a false sense of security and allow Mr Howard to take advantage of a low election turn-out – a situation which traditionally favours the Conservatives.
Addressing Labour grassroot supporters, Mr Blair warned them they must fight for every vote to prevent the Conservatives winning the election by default.
“Make no mistake, this is a fight – a fight for the future of our country and a fight we have to win for the people of Britain,” he said.
“The Tories may be in a mess. Their policy is incoherent but they do have a strategy.”
“They don’t aim to get power by the front door but by the back door, by spreading disillusionment and cynicism.”
“They hope to depress our vote and get out their own through a hard right agenda.”
“Don’t underestimate it – we take nothing for granted.”
During a highly personal speech, Mr Blair insisted: “I have the same passion and hunger as when I first walked through the door of 10 Downing Street.”
In a direct appeal to voters, Mr Blair said the public must decide whether to continue to support him.
“It’s not a bad idea to think of it in terms of being like any relationship: you the British people and me, the person you chose as your prime minister,” he said.
“Now you, the British people, have to sit down and decide whether you want the relationship to continue,” Mr Blair continued, claiming that a vote for either Michael Howard or Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy would result in “a Tory government not a Labour government and a country that goes back and does not move forward.”
Highlighting Labour’s record on domestic issues, amid fears that disgruntled supporters may stay at home in protest at the Government’s record on issues such as Iraq and university fees, Mr Blair acknowledged: “I understand why some people feel angry, not just over Iraq but many of the difficult decisions we have made.”
Describing his relationship with the public as euphoric in the early days of his leadership, Mr Blair acknowledged this had led to irritation, raised voices and “crockery being thrown.”
Following the September 11th terror attacks, he conceded the focus had been too much on international diplomacy at the expense of the domestic agenda, but stressed his priority was to look after Britain and its people.
“I’m back and it feels good,” Mr Blair told Labour delegates.
