Yesterday Mr Redwood questioned how Mr Clarke could square this with his support for the EU’s Nice Treaty, saying Mr Clarke had “shifted his position markedly” since 1997, and his views were out of line with those of Tory party members.. Voters may may be able to choose their candidate over the telephone or the internet at the next general election, under a scheme designed to increase turnout. Voters may may be able to choose their candidate over the telephone or the internet at the next general election, under a scheme designed to increase turnout.The Electoral Commission, which regulates and monitors elections, is planning to launch a pilot telephone voting scheme which will enable more absent voters to participate in polls.A report published yesterday by the Commission concluded that “the single most important issue arising from the 2001 general election is the need to address, urgently and radically, the decline in public participation”.The Commission also pledged to explore whether an American-style head-to-head debate between party leaders would help fight public apathy. This comes as an embarrassment to Tony Blair, who refused requests from William Hague and Charles Kennedy for such a debate in the run-up to the last election.Voter turnout on 7 June fell below 60 per cent, after a 71 per cent turn-out in 1997.The Commission’s root and branch review of elections will also look at establishing a national register of voters and the use of cable and satellite channels in party election broadcasts. Advertisements during the election campaign may be regulated for the first time, with a code outlawing personal attacks on party leaders.The Commission will also look at setting a top rate for political donations and will consider arguments, promoted by smaller parties such as the Liberal Democrats, for the introduction of state funding of political parties.At the last general election, Labour and the Tories had budgets of around £15m each, while the Liberal Democrats had less than £3m and the Green party only about £30,000.New rules covering the conduct of trade unions and other organisations that play a political role in elections may be drawn up.The Commission plans to look at the rules governing small parties, including those fielding only one candidate, following complaints that they face excessive red tape.The report said: “It is already clear that we will need to review the rules as they affect small parties in order to minimise the administrative burden on them and ensure that they are not discouraged from participation in the electoral process.”Spending by political parties during the election may be scrutinised, and a new code of practice introduced. The parties would have three months from the end of the campaign to submit their campaign returns, but this may be reviewed.The modernisation of elections would include exploring the greater use of electronic systems to help count voters.”We will support and promote the widespread introduction of electronic systems and new technology to underpin the efficient administration of voting and counting,” the report said.The Commission has been given funds to create education schemes to try to encourage public interest in elections.Postal voting is to be expanded and schemes will be introduced to guard against fraud in this area.”We believe that we must promote the availability of means by which voters can participate without having to visit a polling station,” the report said.

“We also believe that the future lies in finding secure means of extending absent voting through use of telephones and the internet, and we will be promoting pilot schemes in these areas.”. Gordon Brown’s closest aide has given the strongest signal yet that the Government will not call a referendum on the single currency until after the next general election. Ed Balls, the Treasury’s chief economic adviser, warned at a private seminar that an early referendum could split the Labour Party and risk Britain’s economic stability. He said the Government should focus on public services in its second term. Gordon Brown’s closest aide has given the strongest signal yet that the Government will not call a referendum on the single currency until after the next general election. Ed Balls, the Treasury’s chief economic adviser, warned at a private seminar that an early referendum could split the Labour Party and risk Britain’s economic stability.

He said the Government should focus on public services in its second term.His comments threaten to renew tensions over the Government’s euro policy between Tony Blair and Mr Brown, who is more sceptical about early entry than the Prime Minister. Last week, Mr Blair told junior ministers there were two big challenges for his second term, public services and Europe.Mr Blair has also reassured pro-euro businessmen that he has not closed the door to a referendum before the next election. But some businessmen have been so angered by Mr Blair sitting on the fence that they are threatening to withdraw their funding for the embryonic “yes” campaign, Britain In Europe.The Independent has obtained a tape-recording of a speech by Mr Balls to a conference two weeks ago organised by Progress, a group which fosters debate between the Government and Labour’s grass roots. An ally of Mr Brown, who was present, said: “It was the clearest possible statement that we won’t hold a euro referendum in this Parliament.”Mr Balls said: “We have to be careful in the second term that we maintain our position as pro-European realists. We know there are big debates to be had on Europe, on taxation, on the euro, on economic reform, on political reform. The most important thing for us as a party is to keep focused on the need to stay united, stick to a long-term agenda and not to do anything in the short term which would divide us … and which would put [at risk] our ability in 2005 to show we have delivered on stability, on full employment and on public services.”His speech reflected concern at the Treasury and Bank of England that the pound’s strength against the euro is a huge barrier to early entry.Mr Balls said delaying a referendum would also keep the pressure on the Tories.

“Our task is to keep the Conservative leadership as divided, out of touch and extreme in five years as they look today and for us to stay united and determined on delivery by a radical and credible approach to the economy and public services. If we can combine radicalism with unity I think we can win in 2005.”Mr Balls said Labour’s “realist” position on the euro was in line with mainstream opinion among business and the trade unions. But Mr Blair was given a rough ride during private talks at Downing Street, before Mr Balls’s speech, with businessmen including Niall Fitzgerald, the chairman of Unilever. Sources said strong words were exchanged as the businessmen urged Mr Blair to give a lead on the euro, with one questioning whether it was the Prime Minister or Mr Brown who was running the Government.At the meeting, Mr Blair played down newspaper reports suggesting the Government had ruled out a referendum in this parliament.A cabinet source said: “I think Tony wants to go for it but Gordon holds the whip hand because of the exchange rate problem.”It seems Gordon wants to close it off for this parliament but it’s not all over yet.”. Two men, including a former Rugby League professional, who were shot dead by a masked gunman in a crowded pub in Leeds, may have been victims of a gang war. Two men, including a former Rugby League professional, who were shot dead by a masked gunman in a crowded pub in Leeds, may have been victims of a gang war.
A hitman walked through a group of children who were playing party games at the Wilson’s Arms and shot David Nelson, 38, in the head at close range on Sunday afternoon.A second man, Joseph Montgomery, 39, was also shot in the face and critically wounded when he threw a beer glass at the gunman in an attempt to intervene.

Mr Montgomery, who is not thought to have been the target of the killer, died in hospital yesterday afternoon.Police are investigating whether the killing is part of a series of tit-for-tat shootings between crime gangs in the area.Mr Nelson had been the target of a murder attempt three days earlier when he was shot outside the same pub in Seacroft on Thursday evening and suffered minor injuries to his head. The incident had not been reported to police.One mother, whose daughter was at the children’s party in the pub, said: “The DJ spotted him [the gunman] and shouted at him to get out, saying ‘there’s children in here’.”Then the kids were told to get down on the floor.”The killer, who was wearing a balaclava, walked into the pub’s pool room and shot Mr Nelson from several yards away. Mr Montgomery was then shot as the gunman left.The masked man fled to a car outside and got in the passenger seat. The driver, who was also wearing a balaclava, drove away at speed.Mr Nelson was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital. Mr Montgomery died yesterday, with his family at his bedside.Detective Superintendent Eddie Hemsley, who is heading the murder inquiry, said: “We aim to catch those responsible for this cold-blooded killing as soon as possible. We will not tolerate this kind of violence on the streets of Leeds.”He appealed for anyone with information to come forward.Mr Nelson, who had a seven-year-old daughter, and Mr Montgomery, who has three children and was known to his friends as Jock, were both regulars in the pub and lived nearby.A motive for the killing has not yet been establishedMr Nelson signed as a professional rugby player for Sheffield Eagles in 1987 at the same pub where he was killed.As well as Sheffield, Mr Nelson played for Castleford and Wakefield, where he finished his rugby career in 1995.A winger, he played at Wembley in 1992 for Castleford, who lost to Wigan in the Challenge Cup Final. He scored 50 tries during his professional career.Mr Nelson’s former team-mate, Mark Aston, said: “He was a happy-go-lucky guy who wore his heart on his sleeve.