Blair pledges fight for harmony in Bradford

The Prime Minister said he believed the vast majority of people want to live peacefully alongside one another - and claimed he will do all he can to ensure that becomes reality.

Mr Blair - speaking to the Telegraph & Argus aboard his election battle bus - said he was concerned about the disturbances that occurred in Lidget Green on Easter Sunday.

"We need to make sure there are good race relations," he said as the bus took the PM away from a flying visit to Shipley.

"But I don't think we should get carried away - what happened was totally wrong and unacceptable but I think the way the community has reacted is right and it's important for people to pull together.

"We're strongly committed to a multi-cultural society and I think the vast majority of people in Bradford want to live in peace with one another whatever their race or background.''

And he said he felt the way to keep the city united was to invest in the economy and the nation.

Keeping the economy strong will ensure harmony among Bradford's mixed races, according to Prime Minister Tony Blair.

"We need to carry on making sure the economy is strong'' by continuing to invest in schools, hospitals and policing.

Mr Blair said he did not believe any parts of Britain's inner cities had become no-go areas for certain groups, adding: "We're very clear that that's not acceptable.''

Mr Blair's visit to Shipley was an obvious attempt to boost the standing of one of his young guns - Chris Leslie - with the seat considered to be one of the nation's key marginals.

And with the election just a few short days away, the Prime Minister could not hide his concern over allegations that the city was facing a rising tide of claims that attempts were being made to influence postal votes.

"They're very serious allegations which the police are investigating," he said.

"I'm sure it will be investigated properly. It would be terrible if it was happening - nothing should come between us and a proper election about the issues.''

And Mr Blair knows that Shipley - and its surrounding area - is still smarting from the planned loss of jobs at Pace Microtechnology at Saltaire. He expressed his concern, but claimed there was little a Government could do to prevent such jobs from being axed.

"I've got every sympathy for the families affected, but in truth it's very difficult to prevent these jobs going in what's a highly competitive industry. What we can do is keep the economy strong so there are a large number of jobs in the area and give people the skills and training they need to do them.''

And with only a few days to go before the polling booths open and the country decides whether it wants to give him another term as leader of the nation, he is keen to avoid being seen as too complacent - and sure of a predicted landslide.

But would he become an "elected dictator" as suggested by a famous female predecessor?

Mr Blair smiled.

"There's not a vote been cast yet but the Conservatives are desperate to stop people voting in this election because they know they have nothing to offer.''

As the bus continued its drive out of Shipley on its way to Leeds, Mr Blair ensured he did what he had come to do - support Chris Leslie, the Labour candidate.

"Chris is a very hard working and able MP who puts his constituency first and has the ability to go far.

"We know it's going to be tight in Shipley but he's got a very good chance of retaining his seat providing people come out and vote.''