THE British election campaign almost descended into farce yesterday. The Tories' six-foot yellow chicken, designed to bait the Labour leader, Mr Tony Blair, was attacked by two men dressed as a headless chicken, to represent Mr John Major's premiership, and a fox. The fox and headless chicken were both sponsored by a tabloid newspaper.
The chicken plot was hatched by Mr Major after Mr Blair chickened" out of a head-to-head televised debate. But it did not overshadow the launch of Labour's manifesto because the Tory chicken, alias Noel Flanagan, was not allowed to attend.
At a packed press conference, Mr Blair launched his radical" programme, promising a "fresh start" for Britain but warning that there were no "magic wands or instant solutions."
A Gallup poll for the Daily Telegraph today shows a potentially significant fall for Labour, down from 54 per cent early last month to 52 per cent now. The Tories' support has risen from 28 to 31 per cent.
However, a poll for the Times yesterday showed Labour with a 27-point lead, five points up, at 55 per cent support, and the Tories down one point.
The Liberal Democrats have fallen by 1.5 points over the past month to 11 per cent, according to Gallup.
A Harris poll for today's Independent shows Labour's lead of 24 per cent last week has held up.
Mr Blair insisted he was not complacent and warned that if Labour lost this election it might never rule again.
Identifying education as his number one priority, he also pledged not to increase income tax rates, to set a low target for inflation, cut youth unemployment and demonstrate strong leadership in Europe.
"This is not just a programme of policy. It is a vision of Britain's future. We do not want merely to replace government ministers. We want to change values and priorities of government, its governing philosophy," he stated.
Mr Blair insisted that the Conservative and Labour manifestos had put `clear blue water' between the parties.
"They (the manifestos) represent a real choice. Between the future and the past. Between a party for the many and a party for the few. Between leadership and drift," he added.
But the Liberal Democrat leader, Mr Paddy Ashdown, who will launch his party's manifesto today, claimed Labour's sums did not add up. He denounced their programme for failing to offer any new solutions to the "grave problems" the country faces.
"How are you going to fund the essential improvements in health and education? After 18 years of Conservative government, our society is more divided than ever.
"The Labour Party used to be a crusade against poverty, inequality and social injustice. Now most people think the Labour Party is just a commercial for warm words and vague aspirations," he said.
Mr Major dismissed the manifesto as "more of a con-trick than a contract" and claimed Labours plans for devolution would lead to the break-up of the United Kingdom.
He also accused Labour of "selling out to Europe" and claimed Mr Blair would raise taxes and grant further powers to the trade unions.
"Frankly the British electorate deserves better from a party that would like to be in government."
Last night the Tories warned that their chicken will continue to stick to Mr Blair like glued" despite its refusing an invitation to join the Labour leader for dinner.
"There was no chicken on the menu. We heard he was a floating voter and we thought there was potential to swing him behind us," explained one Labour source.