A special session of the Cabinet met yesterday to finalise preparations for an election.

In a surprise move, Labour took the decision to release details of their campaign plans which include the scrapping of the traditional "battlebuses" that ferry the party leader and the media around the country.

Liam Fox, the Conservative Party co-chairman, said the announcement of Labour's election plans at this stage "smacks of panic".

"Clearly they are preparing to cut and run if the economy deteriorates," he said.