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12pm Leaders pledge to end use of race card Special report: Election countdown Special report: Race in Britain Matthew Tempest, political correspondent Wednesday March 14, 2001 The leaders of the three main political parties will today sign a pledge vowing not to "use the race card" during the general election campaign. The historic promise will see the prime minister, Conservative leader William Hague and Liberal Democrat chief Charles Kennedy agree to discipline any activist or candidate who acts in a way "likely to stir up racial prejudice." The three party chiefs will also be joined by representatives of Plaid Cymru and the SNP. The scheme - organised by the commission for racial equality - is designed to take race out of the election campaign, expected to be called in the next fortnight for a May 3 polling day. The move comes despite high-profile criticism of the Tory leader William Hague for a speech in Harrogate promising to "give you your country back." And he claimed Britain under a Labour second term would become a "foreign land." The speech - to Conservative party activists - was criticised by even rightwing allies in the press like The Sun and The Times. Former liberal democrat leader Paddy Ashdown compared it to Enoch Powell's "rivers of blood" speech, and retiring conservative MP Michael Heseltine admitted it made him think twice about voting conservative. Plaid Cymru has also been criticised recently for an outspoken attack on English people living in Wales. The leaders will sign the pledge card at a ceremony in the House of Commons after prime minister's questions this afternoon. Useful links Related articles Comment
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