Hague: Warning

William Hague has told party supporters that this general election could see the end of British independence if Labour secure a second term.

Speaking in Fulham, London, the Conservative leader also warned that "this election could produce a devastating blow to British democracy" if Labour was allowed to give up the UK's independence.

"If Labour win at all they will use every trick, spend every sum, fix every vote to ensure elimination of our currency and the end of 1000 years of independence," said Hague.

The speech gave further evidence of the Conservatives' change of strategy, in which they are now hoping to persuade voters that a second landslide victory would be bad for parliament and democracy.

Hague warned: "If Labour win by the landslide which they themselves have predicted and arrogantly taken for granted, they will marginalise parliament, manipulate the media, and seek to suppress all dissent or disagreement with them."

"The brakes will be off what has already been the most arrogant, aggressive and intimidatory government in the history of our country,'' said the Tory leader.

The Conservatives insist they will do better than expectations, however. The Conservative candidate in Hammersmith and Fulham, Matthew Carrington, said the local party was having a "storming campaign" and was set to improve on its 1997 election result.

Labour won the Hammersmith and Fulham constituency with a 3842 majority over the Conservatives in 1997.

Repeating the local message, Hague insisted the national campaign was also going well and said the final week of campaigning would see the party fighting for what it believes in.

"With millions of voters still to be wooed, this election is far from over," said Hague.

"Every day that our support continues to build it becomes clearer and clearer that we can win this election outright and produce a Conservative government which will govern with the grain of British tolerance, moderation and patriotism and not against it," he said.

The Conservative leader also warned that under a Labour government "the voice of the majority would be ignored".

Hague attacked Labour's record on crime, asylum, health and Europe and said the prime minister needed to "get out in the real world and see what he's done."

"If you are among the many millions that want to clip Labour's wings or sling them out altogether, you can only wipe the smile off their faces by voting Conservative," he concluded.