Hague: No regrets

William Hague has said he will take responsibility if the Conservatives go down to a second Labour landslide on polling day but predicted that he could still win.

Hague said that he alone would take the blame if the Conservatives did not show a significant recovery on Thursday.

In an interview with "The Sun", he said: "I take absolute responsibility for whatever happens in this election. I am the leader. I don't blame other people if things go wrong. Nor do I ask for the credit when things go right."Speaking on Saturday he dismissed talk of a second Labour landslide.

"We are planning on success," he told reporters in Yorkshire. "The reaction in the country is very much different from the opinion polls. I think we can win - voters are so disillusioned with the government - even on its most basic promises."

Hague claimed success for having brought the party forward from its massive defeat in 1997.

"Whatever the result, I am delighted with what I have been doing over the last four years. I think we have pulled this party right out of the dust. I really have no regrets about taking over in 1997," he said.

In his interview with "The Sun", which for a second time is supporting Tony Blair, Hague also said that Whitehall civil servants had already been given their orders for his first day in office.

The Conservative Leader said that he had handed over a piece of paper with a "to-do" list to the head of the civil service.

"I have already given Cabinet Secretary Sir Richard Wilson my instructions on a piece of paper. I have told him which bills need drawing up urgently, the changes in running costs of government, which ministerial positions would disappear," Hague said.

In a show of defiance he refused to accept his party's dismal showing in the polls and claimed he will lead the Tories to victory on June 7.

"I will walk into Downing Street next Friday and tell him to implement that plan," he said.

His four most urgent priorities, he told the paper, were to reduce the size of government and change the Commons rules so only English MPs vote on English issues. He would tackle the crisis in public services and set the agenda for the EU summit that follows soon after polling day.