LABOUR LAUNCHES MICHAEL HOWARD BANDWAGON WATCH
(21 March 2005)

The "gloves have come off" in the fight for the next election with the Labour Party today introducing a new feature called the "Michael Howard Bandwagon Watch". Inspired by The Daily Mirror's 'Get on the Bandwagon Feature' (21/03/05), Matt Carter, General Secretary of the Labour Party circulated an email saying "we're inviting visitors to spot bandwagons Mr Howard or his candidates are boarding, nationally or locally. And you are also invited to send in your predictions as to what bandwagons Mr Howard may chase in the future."

Here are the current top ten favourites listed on the Michael Howard Bandwagon watch site:

• Howard pledges new "ATM bill" to deal with people who take too long getting money out of cashpoints.
• Howard to ban hosepipe bans.
• Howard to double limit on items allowed in "six and under" supermarket queues.
• Howard says Premiership abuse of referees has grown under Labour, and promises a new "Graham Poll" bill.
• Howard pledges to press Channel Four to move The Sopranos to 9pm.
• Howard urges The West Wing to have a Republican President - preferably one who will meet him.
• Howard to outlaw "push polling" - except by the Tories in this campaign.
• Howard calls for royal wedding memorabilia profits to go to charity.
• Howard pledges new bill to force pop stars to sing lyrics clearly.
• Howard pledges streamlining of choice in coffee shops.

Although many see this new campaign as a political raillery, the Labour Party has recently been embroiled in controversy over posters showing Michael Howard and Oliver Letwin as pigs under the headline "Pigs might fly". This outraged many in the Jewish community who regarded the posters as a religious insult. Posters depicting Mr Howard as a modern-day Fagin were also roundly criticised.

The Labour Party invites members of the public to make your own suggestion by clicking onto http://labour.org.uk/bandwagon.

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