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Here beginneth Blair's crusade
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TONY BLAIR and William Hague launched their general election campaigns with sharply contrasting styles in bright spring sunshine yesterday.
Mr Blair broke with tradition to announce the June 7 date at a stage-managed appearance in front of schoolchildren while Mr Hague mounted a soapbox in a marginal constituency. The Prime Minister's shirtsleeved appearance at St Saviour's and St Olave's School in south London - instead of on the steps of No 10 - was the climax of carefully-choreographed events leading up to the naming of the day.
The Tories sought to draw a contrast with Labour's slick presentation by embarking immediately on the campaign trail. Mr Hague went to Watford, Herts, one of the marginal "Middle England" seats the Tories must capture to return to power.
With activists waving "Keep the Pound" placards, he said the Tories wanted to reach out beyond Westminster to "the real people of our country" appalled by "political correctness" and the loss of British sovereignty to Europe.
Charles Kennedy, the Liberal Democrat leader, speaking outside his party's London headquarters, promised to wage a "constructive" campaign - but immediately attacked Labour for failing to deliver quality public services and accused the Tories of being "irresponsible".
After weeks of pre-election skirmishing, Mr Blair saw the Queen at Buckingham Palace at lunchtime to ask for Parliament to be dissolved on Monday for a June 7 poll. The new Parliament will meet on June 13 and the State Opening will be on June 20.
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