The Conservatives charged Mr Tony Blair with "dithering" last night as the country awaited confirmation that the Prime Minister had abandoned plans for a May 3rd general election.
Mr Blair is expected to confirm today that emergency legislation will be brought forward postponing the county council elections scheduled for that date. However - despite confident predictions that June 7th is now the preferred alternative - it is unclear whether Mr Blair will commit himself to a fresh date at this stage.
There was speculation in political circles last night that the legislation could be framed to allow postponement of the English local elections "for up to a year". This would leave Mr Blair free to name a June date for the council and general elections, once he is satisfied that the foot-and-mouth epidemic is firmly under control.
The Prime Minister is also expected to decide today whether to proceed with a vaccination programme in face of continuing opposition from some farmers' leaders and the obvious doubts of the Agriculture Minister, Mr Nick Brown.
Mr Blair's dilemma over the election timing was underlined by Conservative suggestions that he could not be certain the foot-and-mouth crisis would be resolved by June, and that the general election might have to be postponed until the autumn.
The added complication for Mr Blair and his strategists is their determination not to hold the local elections - in which the Conservatives would be expected to do well - ahead of the general election. A MORI poll showed Labour still on course for a landslide win, but with its lead over the Conservatives having slipped by three points.