A taste of pre-poll mood?

The British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, had a rather rotten taste of pre-election mood when he was pelted with stale fruit in Bristol this morning as he prepared to reel off his government's achievements. At least one tomato landed on his suit leaving a huge mess on the back of his left shoulder, but the Prime Minister chose to grin and bear it while red-faced securitymen looked for the culprits. Two women were later arrested. They were a part of a group which was protesting the Blair Government's policy on Iraq and wanted sanctions against Baghdad lifted saying these were hurting the common man. Mr. Blair however refused to buckle down. He justified the sanctions and said the Iraqi President, Mr. Saddam Hussein, was getting enough by way of humanitarian aid to look after his people. He blamed Mr. Saddam Hussein for not using the money to feed the people.

Mr. Blair, who opened a university campus, faced some sharp questions from the audience about his government's economic agenda which he intends to use as the main election plank. His answers, according to those present on the occasion, left many dissatisfied even as here in London the Tory leader, Mr. William Hague, unleashing his own pre-election rhetoric, called Mr Blair a `pretender' and urged people not to accept his claims on economy on face value.

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Section  : International
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