The backing from Britain's oldest newspaper, historically a bulwark of the establishment, gave Labour an added boost just 48 hours ahead of general elections in which the party is expected to stage a rout. The move, coupled with a similar nod to Labour from the Financial Times, came as Conservative leader William Hague, shown trailing badly in the opinion polls, insisted he was still in the race in a TV interview. That's very arrogant. We won't be getting over-upset about that.
Different newspapers support different parties and so be it.
It is the people who decide. Mr Blair, either out of conviction or out of fear that his proposed expenditure increases will be inadequate, is likely to blend Thatcherite means with social democratic ends in a manner which will benefit public services. The electors would be best advised to let him continue what he has begun. The fillips for Blair's campaign coincided with a statement from Italy's outgoing prime minister, Giulano Amato, that he was routing for a Labour landslide to help draw Britons closer to the idea of a more integrated Europe. I personally expect and hope that an overwhelming victory by Tony Blair will allow this pro-European sentiment to be shared by British citizens as well.