Serious splits within Tory ranks have broken out over the wisdom of focusing on the single currency during the first three weeks of the general election campaign.

As the opinion polls predict a second Labour landslide on June 7, pro-European Tories have made public their disquiet at William Hague's "keep the pound" strategy.

The rebellion will be headed by Chris Patten, the former Conservative Party chairman, who is said to be "seriously cross" at Hague's focus on the single currency issue.

Patten is expected to outline his concerns at the emphasis of the Conservatives' campaign.

The splits come as Labour goes into the final week of the campaign with a strategy of putting "schools and hospitals first".

Tony Blair said on Friday: "As the Conservatives fall out over their strategy, we are absolutely clear about ours - economic stability and then, on the basis of that economic strength, investment in our key public services, with schools and hospitals first."

The former chancellor, Ken Clarke, is also reported to be angered by the party's continued focus on the euro rather than public services.

The Independent newspaper publishes reports of a taped public meeting in Clarke's Rushcliffe constituency in which the former chancellor makes his disquiet clear.

Clarke said: "The government is divided on the [single] currency, therefore you have a general election to decide on issues like the economy, health, education and so on and a referendum on a single currency."

He argues that it was wrong to let the issues of health and education become "confused" with the single currency debate.

Margaret Thatcher, writing in Friday's Daily Telegraph, defended the decision to focus on the euro.

"Mr Blair has accused the Conservative Party at this election of being 'obsessed' with the euro. There must, though, be something profoundly wrong with a prime minister who is simply not concerned at all about his country's freedom and independence," she wrote.