The prime minister has insisted there is no "bitterness" in Labour ranks following the deep divisions over Iraq.

Tony Blair said it was "important to recognise that there are divisions" over the conflict in the Gulf.

But he denied that there had been lasting damage to the party as a whole.

"One of the heartening things about the Labour Party today is that the issues that it divides over or has differences over are the issues that are mirrored by divisions in the public," he said.

"The best way of healing those differences is through dialogue and working out where the common ground is."

He said it was "possible for people to take a different view".

"I don't say people who reach a different judgement are people who have taken leave of their senses or saying something that is ridiculous," said Blair.

He also insisted that he had listened closely to those who disagree with his stance on Iraq.

"Contrary to what people may think I do pay a great deal of attention to what my members of parliament think and to party members," he said.

"But it is important that we don't think that the only people with a valid point of view are those that are opposed to the leadership."

Blair went on to deny that the government's stance on Iraq could lead to heavy losses in May's local elections.

"I think in the local elections there are other issues that are exercising people," he said.