Tories invent a 'pregnant' Blair

Tory Liam Fox says Tony Blair has still not delivered

The Conservatives have unveiled their latest weapon in attempts to dent Labour's lead in opinion polls - a 'pregnant' Tony Blair.

The British public has been waiting for a delivery that hasn't happened

Andrew Lansley

The prime minister is pictured in a pre-election poster apparently beaming with pride as he strokes his 'bump' under a v-neck sweater.

The slogan reads: "Four years of Labour and he still hasn't delivered."

Wednesday's campaign launch, which coincided with bad poll news for the Tories, comes days before Mr Blair is expected to fire the general election starting gun.

'Still waiting'

Shadow cabinet office minister Andrew Lansley, accompanied by shadow health secretary Liam Fox, said: "The British public has been waiting for a delivery that hasn't happened.

"It is the longest gestation period in history."

The Tory frontbencher said Labour had broken promises to increase police officers, cut NHS waiting lists and lower taxes since taking power in 1997.

Tories are dismissing the Sun survey

A MORI survey for the Sun newspaper suggests Labour could be returned to power with an even bigger Commons majority than now.

But Mr Lansley insisted: "These things are not as important as the policies and the issues during the campaign."

Manifesto

Leader of the Commons Margaret Beckett said that rather than break promises, Labour had done more than it promised in its manifesto.

"While Labour has spent four years working to deliver the economic stability and better services the British people want, the Tories have nothing to offer but cynicism and cuts," Mrs Beckett said.

"The Tories are desperate to pretend that there is no new investment, no improvement in public services, because they are opposed to the very measures that are strengthening Britain's families, public services and economy."