LOCAL ELECTIONS: Michael Howard hopes to use the victory of Swindon Tories as a launch pad for winning the next general election.

Speaking during a flying visit to the town, the Conservative leader told the Advertiser: "I hope our victory in Swindon will be a building block for us to win the next general election.

"We as a party have more progress to make and we are not quite in a position where people trust us to be an alternative to this discred-ited government. But we will be very soon."

Congratulating Tory councillors at the Civic Offices following their triumph when they won control of Swindon Council for the first time in 25 years, Mr Howard said: "We have seen Conservatives making gains all over the country.

"I'm delighted for the people in the areas we have won control of councils.

"I'm delighted for the councillors and the people they are going to serve.

"We are back in Swindon and we are very hopeful we can take parliamentary seats in Swindon next time."

Asked why he believed the Tories had won in Swindon, which is currently represented by two Labour MPs, he said: "It was the hard work and consistent message put to people by the Conservatives.

"Every election is a mix of local and national and international issues. You can't ever say exactly what makes people vote.

"But Tory councils do better for people and give them lower council tax."

Prime Minister Tony Blair, reacting to the news of Labour's poor perform-ance said: "Of course it's a difficult time, and these things happen."