SPIN pin is an issue, says Blair
Spin is ‘‘an issue’’ for New Labour, British Prime Minister Tony Blair conceded today - and he urged his party and voters to focus on policy issues instead.
‘‘I agree this is an issue for us,’’ he said.
‘‘I think there is a very strong case for us to try and get to the substance the whole time’’.
Mr Blair’s comments came after ex-Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson, once the party’s communications director, warned against over-reliance on spin and presentation.
They also followed criticism of the party’s first week of a campaign masterminded by Chancellor Gordon Brown.
Mr Blair said: ‘‘I think these big policy questions, the substance questions, are the issues on which we are strong.
‘‘In a sense I agree it’s far better, never mind all the presentation, let’s get on to the policy substance.
‘‘I think it would be a good idea if people concentrated on the substance of what I say rather than the trimmings and trappings,’’ he said.
Later, Mr Brown told Labour’s daily news conference: ‘‘I think what the Prime Minister was saying today was, we are concentrating on substance, on policy, on the programme for the next Parliament.’’
He added: ‘‘We will continue to concentrate first on the economy , secondly on investment in the future and also leadership - the leadership of Tony Blair, set against the opportunism of the Conservative Party.
‘‘Our campaign will indeed be about substance and about policy.’’
Labour’s first election broadcast tonight is set to feature ex-Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, among other celebrities.
The Tories today continued their offensive on tax, saying Labour would lock Britain into permanently high fuel duties imposed by the European Union.
And the Liberal Democrats unveiled their plans for a massive boost for education.
