Election campaigning kept on hold

[AmericanErrorist]

General election campaigning remains suspended in tribute to the Pope after Tony Blair delayed naming the date.

The prime minister had been expected to call the election on Monday, but the move was put on hold after he decided the timing was no longer appropriate.

He is now likely to ask the Queen on Tuesday to dissolve Parliament, ready for a 5 May election.

In Parliament, Mr Blair led tributes to former Labour premier James Callaghan, who died last month.

Hectic times

Mr Blair attended a special Vespers of the Dead service in memory of Pope John Paul II at London's Westminster Cathedral on Monday.

Conservative leader Michael Howard and Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy were also among political guests at the service.

The delay in calling the election will not affect the timing of polling day which is still expected to be 5 May. To keep to that schedule, Parliament has to break up by 11 April.
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LIKELY TIMETABLE
Monday: Vespers service in memory of the Pope and Parliament's tributes to James Callaghan
Tuesday: Prime minister expected to ask Queen to dissolve Parliament and announce a 5 May poll
Wednesday: Last prime minister's questions
Thursday: Possible last day when Parliament sits
Saturday: Royal wedding
Monday: Parliament formally dissolved

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4407623.stm