'Cuddly' Blunkett's prize pledges

Political rivalry was not too intense

The Education Secretary, David Blunkett, has come up with a new manifesto - advocating cuddles for all children.

His plea that "every child should be loved" won him the title of children's author of the year in a competition among MPs organised by the Pre-school Learning Alliance.

Mr Blunkett beat off challenges from three other finalists: his Tory shadow Theresa May, Liberal Democrat spokesman Mathew Taylor, and Penrith MP David Maclean.

The four were chosen as finalists after writing a children's story about their first day at school. Two other MPs who were shortlisted had to drop out.

Each of the finalists had a few minutes to come up with a four-point manifesto to deliver to children from the Hurley House Pre-school, London.

Pocket money pledge

Mr Blunkett's entry was: "I would like every child to be included with their friends in their local school, including youngsters who couldn't see or needed extra help.

"I think every child should have a cuddle in the morning and when they go to bed at night. Every child should be loved."

David Maclean came second for his manifesto advocating "a minimum pocket money guarantee - and an end to child poverty" and "more European integration - and free trips to Eurodisney, not to the Millennium Dome."

Matthew Taylor's third prize entry ended with "tomorrow is always Christmas".

Theresa May, fourth, wanted "every child to be able to go to school with their friends".

The judges included the novelist Ruth Rendell, children's authors Nick Butterworth and Judith Kerr, and Lord Falkland.