General election is on May 5

Prime Minister Tony Blair ended months of speculation by formally announcing that a general election will be held on Thursday, May 5, 2005.

After asking the Queen to dissolve Parliament next week, Mr Blair said Labour had a "driving mission" for a third term in office.

The Conservative and Liberal Democrat leaders pre-empted the announcement by starting nationwide tours of key seats.

Michael Howard accused Mr Blair's government of "losing the plot" while Charles Kennedy said he would focus on people's hopes, not their fears.

With Parliament formally dissolved within a few days, the government must rush to get its remaining legislation through Parliament by the end of this week and some key Bills are likely to fall.

Four opinion polls published this week suggest Labour's lead over the Conservatives has slipped to between two and five per cent, with one poll suggesting the Tories are five per cent ahead of Labour among those people 'certain to vote'. The Lib Dems are between 10 and 16 points behind the Conservatives.

Bills to fall

Government and Opposition business managers will discuss which outstanding pieces of legislation can be passed this week.

About half of the 28 bills introduced after last year's Queen's Speech may not get through. Those most at risk are Identity Cards Bill; Incitement to religious hatred offence in Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill; Gambling; Clean Neighbourhoods Bill; Charities Bill; Criminal Defence Service; Crossrail Bill; Equality Bill; European Union Bill; International Organisations Bill; Management of Offenders and Sentencing Bill; Mental Capacity Bill; National Lottery Bill; and Road Safety Bill.