THE British Prime Minister, Mr John Major, is poised to name the date for the British general election - May 1st - later today. It is understood an audience with Queen Elizabeth will clear the way for the announcement. The latest NOP poll shows Labour has extended its lead to 25 points.
Mr Major is expected to confirm his intentions at a special meeting of the cabinet, before travelling to Buckingham Palace to seek the dissolution of the 1992 parliament. Government and Labour whips will meet to agree the passage of essential outstanding legislation before the formal dissolution of the Commons, possibly on April 1st.
A short Easter break will mark the final phase of Mr Major's long, campaign, with a nationwide tour planned before the expected launch of the election manifestos on April 8th.
But Mr Major is promising to "hit the ground running" this week with a battery of government announcements - including the latest falls in crime and unemployment figures - and some high profile interviews in which he will attempt to rally the Conservative Party and turn the heat on Mr Tony Blair, the Labour leader.
However, the scale of the electoral mountain Mr Major must climb is implicit in his willingness, confirmed yesterday, to take part in televised debates with Mr Blair. Against the cardinal rule that the incumbent should never elevate his opponent, Mr Major and his managers have plainly decided he has nothing to lose.
Mr Blair last night welcomed Mr Major's decision, while remaining sceptical as to whether the "presidential" bouts will actually take place.
Dr Brian Mawhinney, the Conservative Party chairman, confirmed that Mr Major would not agree to the participation of Mr Paddy Ashdown, the Liberal Democrat leader. He insisted Britain faced "a choice of two futures, and only two possible prime ministers". However, Mr Charles Kennedy MP said the Lib Dems would take legal action to ensure their rights to participation under electoral law.