Conservatives pledge to scupper EU treaty

Britain's Conservative Party unveiled yesterday its policy programme for a May 5 election with a pledge to win a "No" vote on the EU treaty - a move that would mark a seismic shift in the bloc were it to win power.

Pro-European Prime Minister Tony Blair is expected to secure a third term, albeit with a reduced parliamentary majority.

But opinion polls show the Conservatives just a few points behind in what is shaping into the first real contest since 1992 as anger over the Iraq war erodes support for Mr Blair.

"We oppose the EU Constitution and would give the British people the chance to reject its provisions in a referendum within six months of the general election," said the Conservative policy manifesto.

It was the first formal policy platform of the three major parties to be published as campaigning resumed in earnest after the Pope's funeral and Saturday's wedding of heir to the throne Prince Charles.

Were the Conservatives to defy the odds and oust Mr Blair's Labour party, the consequences for Europe would be far-reaching.

Such a result would hand the reins of the EU to a eurosceptic party that will campaign to reject the bloc's constitution during Britain's six-month presidency from July.

All 25 EU members must approve the treaty. The Conservatives also want to renegotiate central planks of London's relationship with Brussels, including existing treaties on employment laws and fishing that would require the unlikely agreement of all member states.

Growing support for the Conservatives' position on the treaty prompted Mr Blair to perform a huge U-turn last year when he pledged to hold a referendum on the Constitution next year.

Polls show most Britons oppose the EU Constitution and a "No" vote could force Mr Blair out of office, analysts say.

Conservative leader Michael Howard was confident yesterday his stance on Europe was in tune with voters as he also promised to keep Britain out of the European single currency.

Opinion polls show most Britons want to keep the Pound. Other Conservative policy pledges included lower taxes, better public services and less immigration.

Mr Blair reiterated yesterday that euro entry was still possible but remained subject to five economic tests the government has set. "We should keep the option open," he said.

He again appeared with finance minister Gordon Brown, stressing that the two old rivals have patched up - or at least patched over - their rocky relationship for the poll.

Mr Blair last week virtually confirmed Mr Brown would keep his job in a third Labour term.

Economic stability is Labour's strongest card and Mr Blair and Mr Brown criticised the Conservatives' planned tax cuts as undeliverable.

But Mr Howard said Labour would be forced to raise taxes soon after the next election to plug a "black hole" in the public finances - a view supported by many economists.

Opinion polls sent mixed signals to the parties yesterday. An ICM poll put Labour on 38 per cent, five points clear of the Conservatives on 33. But a YouGov survey had Labour on 36 per cent, level with the Conservatives.