'General election next May'

Tony Blair is set to choose next May for his bid for a historic third successive Labour term in power.

The Prime Minister has pencilled in 5 May 2005 as the date of the next general election - the same day as townhall polls across the country.

However, polling day could slip into June because choosing May would leave Mr Blair open to charges that the current parliamentary term would be less than four years.

News that he is thinking about the election's timing has fuelled speculation that he will hand over power to Gordon Brown, possibly two years later. But the Chancellor's supporters are not holding their breath.

Reports today claimed the "handover" plan came in secret pre-Christmas talks which saw Mr Brown promise to support Mr Blair for the next three years.