Europe gives Blair unwanted help

Robin Oakley

By Robin Oakley, CNN European Political Editor

LONDON, England (CNN) -- The British general election campaign has opened with Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair receiving just the kind of help from Europe which he did not want.

First Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder of Germany called for British voters to put their confidence in Mr Blair. Secondly the European Commission has refused to back down over criticisms of Labour Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown's big spending plans for the next few years.

AUDIO CNN's Robin Oakley: Blair has benefited from delaying the election 499 K/46 sec AIFF or WAV sound The economy has ticked over nicely for Labour 499 K/46 sec AIFF or WAV sound Conservatives will use euro-sceptic discourse in their campaign 661 K/61 sec. AIFF or WAV sound

Schroeder's recent calls for a much more integrated Europe, with tax harmonisation and greater powers for the European Commission and Parliament, are not popular with the British electorate. Nor is what the Chancellor calls "meddling" in the British government's spending plans.

Conservative Opposition leader William Hague, a eurosceptic, will exploit both issues in a campaign which he hopes to focus on taxation and on Europe.

He charges that Blair wants to lead Britain into a European superstate and into the european single currency on which Labour has promised a referendum during the next Parliament, if the economic circumstances are right.

The British election campaign opens with the Labour government enjoying a twenty point lead in the opinion polls.

But Blair has warned his Cabinet that the fight could be much tougher than the poll figures suggest. He fears complacency among Labour supporters and apathy in the country at large could cut Labour's victory margin.

Following a Cabinet meeting on Monday and Blair's call on the Queen to request a dissolution of parliament, Labour ministers have been stressing that the election will focus on Labour's spending plans to improve the health, education, crime-fighting and transport services.

Seeking to avoid any charges of arrogance, they have admitted that they did not do everything the electorate wanted in their first term in office but insist that they have established the sound economy which makes a boost in public spending possible.

The Conservatives argue that Labour has talked much and delivered little, while imposed an extra 39 "stealth taxes" on the British public and business community.

They are pledging a rolling programme of tax cuts, especially targeted on savers, married couples and old people. But they say they would not spend any less than Labour on health, education, crime-fighting and defence.

The Liberal Democrats, the third force in British politics, charge Labour with keeping too tight a hand on public spending during the first half of the current parliament.

They say they are ready to increase taxes to provide for more spending on education if it is required.

After rows about race during the election run-up period there is expected to be controversy during the campaign about immigration and political asylum applications.

Other issues likely to figure include crime and the Government's handling of the foot-and-mouth epidemic. There are still some new instances of foot and mouth but they have dropped to a trickle.

Blair had originally targeted the election for May 3 but delayed because of widespread feeling in the countryside areas worst affected. Labour are not expecting any backlash in an election now scheduled for June 7.

UK awaits election announcement
May 7, 2001
Leaders urged to back stronger EU
May 7, 2001

Labour Party
Conservative Party
Liberal Democrats

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