The British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, is reported to have decided to hold the next general election in June and not on 3 May as had been strongly rumoured. The BBC report said that Mr Blair made the decision at his country residence, Chequers, after coming under pressure from leaders of other parties and from within the Cabinet to concentrate on fighting the foot and mouth crisis.
Reports of an election delay came as a poll showed Labour's huge lead over the Conservative Party slipping 3%, but mainly because of opposition to campaigning while the countryside is in crisis. Mr Blair has long been thought to favour a general election on 3 May, the date set down in law for the county council polls.
Downing Street last night insisted the groundswell of opinion in favour of a June poll was speculation. But he is expected to announce emergency legislation to suspend the local elections for the first time since the Second World War as nominations close tomorrow. The move would follow numerous calls to postpone the poll because of the foot and mouth outbreak.
