DEPUTY Prime Minister John Prescott kicked off Labour’s election campaign in Michael Howard’s backyard in Kent by saying voters had a clear choice between Labour’s record in government and the Conservative party’s untested promises.

As Tony Blair was announcing the worst-kept secret outside Downing Street, Mr Prescott and an entourage of aides rolled into the seaside town on his election battle bus for the start of a whistle-stop tour that also took in visits to Dover and Gillingham.

Freely admitting his presence was designed to be provocative, Mr Prescott used a visit to a children’s nursery to unveil an election poster with the slogan "Forward not Howard" and to accuse the Tory leader of making promises based on "populist slogans, misleading claims and hidden agendas".

He denied Labour intended to focus solely on Mr Howard’s track record as a minister in the last Conservative government but pointedly referred to what he claimed were its failures as he talked up Labour’s investment in key public services since 1997. He also shrugged off opinion polls pointing to a slump in support for Labour.

"This election is about a real choice and we have to bring that home to people. It is not just about who governs the country, it is about the future of the economy and the strong society we have developed.

"Michael Howard says the choice is clear and we accept that challenge. When you are in opposition, you can make all sorts of promises. When you are in government, you have to be judged on delivery."

He taunted Mr Howard for failing to appear in his own constituency at the start of the campaign and said Labour would make no apologies for reminding voters of Mr Howard’s track record.

"Perhaps he could not face his constituents on day one of the campaign. When he was employment secretary, unemployment went up by one million. When he was environment secretary, he gave us the poll tax."

Meanwhile, Michael Howard was pledging to "do the best for Britain" with a programme to reward the hardworking law abiding majority, while delivering improved school discipline, cleaner hospitals, more police on the streets and controlled immigration.

"The choice before the voters on May 5 is very clear: they can either reward Mr Blair for eight years of broken promises and vote for another five years of talk; or they can vote Conservative, to support a party that’s taken a stand and is committed to action on the issues that matter to hard working Britons," said Mr Howard.

During his visit to the Sure Start nursery, known as The Village, Mr Prescott chatted with staff, children and parents about its work and facilities.