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Leaders in final pitch for votes ahead of European polls Osborne: Pessimistic Labour and UKIP harm business
(about 2 hours later)
Party leaders are set to embark on their final day of campaigning ahead of Thursday's European Parliament and English council elections. The chancellor is set to accuse Labour and UKIP of having an outlook which would harm business, in a speech later.
David Cameron, Ed Miliband, Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage will make their last pitch for votes in a series of public appearances and media interviews. Addressing the CBI, George Osborne will warn against those who want to "pull up the drawbridge and shut Britain off from the world".
George Osborne will warn against those who want to "pull up the drawbridge and shut Britain off from the world".
The chancellor will say UK must remain the most open economy in Europe.The chancellor will say UK must remain the most open economy in Europe.
In a speech to the CBI, Mr Osborne will say Labour has a "deeply pessimistic anti-business agenda" and accuse UKIP of "peddling a myth that Britain can stop the world and get off". It comes on the final day of campaigning ahead of Thursday's European Parliament and English council elections.
In his speech Mr Osborne will say Labour has a "deeply pessimistic anti-business agenda" and accuse UKIP of "peddling a myth that Britain can stop the world and get off".
He will argue that the British economy is "on the rise again" but warn that it would be a "grave mistake" to think the job of sustaining the recovery is done.He will argue that the British economy is "on the rise again" but warn that it would be a "grave mistake" to think the job of sustaining the recovery is done.
Meanwhile David Cameron, Ed Miliband, Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage are all set to make their last pitch for votes in a series of public appearances and media interviews.
Thursday's polls are the most significant test of public opinion before next year's general election.Thursday's polls are the most significant test of public opinion before next year's general election.
Voters will elect the UK's 73 members of the European Parliament while more than 4,000 council seats will be up for grabs across 161 local authorities.Voters will elect the UK's 73 members of the European Parliament while more than 4,000 council seats will be up for grabs across 161 local authorities.
At the last European elections in 2009, the Conservatives topped the popular vote, with a 27.7% share.At the last European elections in 2009, the Conservatives topped the popular vote, with a 27.7% share.
'Making a difference''Making a difference'
UKIP which came second five years ago, is seeking to go one better this time around while Labour is looking to substantially improve on its 15.7% share last time.UKIP which came second five years ago, is seeking to go one better this time around while Labour is looking to substantially improve on its 15.7% share last time.
The Lib Dems, which got 13.7% of the vote in 2009, are under pressure to hold onto the 11 seats they won lat time and fend off a challenge from the Green Party of England and Wales for fourth place.The Lib Dems, which got 13.7% of the vote in 2009, are under pressure to hold onto the 11 seats they won lat time and fend off a challenge from the Green Party of England and Wales for fourth place.
David Cameron, who will take part in a number of campaign events on Wednesday, has said only the Conservatives can deliver a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU and he will not stay on as prime minister after the next election if this cannot be guaranteed.David Cameron, who will take part in a number of campaign events on Wednesday, has said only the Conservatives can deliver a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU and he will not stay on as prime minister after the next election if this cannot be guaranteed.
Labour leader Ed Miliband will highlight the party's ten "cost of living" pledges as he makes multiple campaign stops in London, the south east, the east, the east Midlands and Yorkshire and Humberside.Labour leader Ed Miliband will highlight the party's ten "cost of living" pledges as he makes multiple campaign stops in London, the south east, the east, the east Midlands and Yorkshire and Humberside.
He will contrast the party's commitments - including a limit on annual rent rises and guaranteed access to a GP within 48 hours - to the other parties' "policy vacuums and political posturing".He will contrast the party's commitments - including a limit on annual rent rises and guaranteed access to a GP within 48 hours - to the other parties' "policy vacuums and political posturing".
"We have shown in this campaign the difference we can make: on housing, on the NHS, on wages, on immigration, on all of the major issues the country faces," he will say."We have shown in this campaign the difference we can make: on housing, on the NHS, on wages, on immigration, on all of the major issues the country faces," he will say.
'Terrified''Terrified'
The Labour leader was embarrassed on Tuesday when he appeared not to know the name of the leader of the Labour group on Swindon Council, Jim Grant, in a interview with BBC Wiltshire.The Labour leader was embarrassed on Tuesday when he appeared not to know the name of the leader of the Labour group on Swindon Council, Jim Grant, in a interview with BBC Wiltshire.
Mr Grant said the Labour leader had apologised to him for "the obvious lack of briefing he had had".Mr Grant said the Labour leader had apologised to him for "the obvious lack of briefing he had had".
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg and his UKIP counterpart Nigel Farage, who kick-started the European campaign with two TV debates last month, will also give a series of interviews as they seek to sure up their support and appeal to undecided voters.Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg and his UKIP counterpart Nigel Farage, who kick-started the European campaign with two TV debates last month, will also give a series of interviews as they seek to sure up their support and appeal to undecided voters.
Speaking on Tuesday, Mr Clegg challenged the "forces of chauvinism and insularity" whose calls to leave the EU he said would leave the UK weakened. The Lib Dems, he insists, are the only genuine "party of IN",Speaking on Tuesday, Mr Clegg challenged the "forces of chauvinism and insularity" whose calls to leave the EU he said would leave the UK weakened. The Lib Dems, he insists, are the only genuine "party of IN",
Mr Farage, who backs EU withdrawal, has said the other parties are "terrified" of his party's likely performance.Mr Farage, who backs EU withdrawal, has said the other parties are "terrified" of his party's likely performance.
He has rejected accusations of racism after suggesting most people would be concerned if a group of Romanians moved in next to them and claimed that the party has more support from ethnic minorities than the "Conservatives and Lib Dems put together".He has rejected accusations of racism after suggesting most people would be concerned if a group of Romanians moved in next to them and claimed that the party has more support from ethnic minorities than the "Conservatives and Lib Dems put together".
Mr Farage pulled out of a musical carnival event in Croydon on Tuesday after supporters clashed with protesters in the street.Mr Farage pulled out of a musical carnival event in Croydon on Tuesday after supporters clashed with protesters in the street.