(1 May 1997) English/Nat

Prime Minister John Major was among early voters at his Huntingdon constituency on Thursday as Britons go to the polls to elect a new Parliament.

Amid tight security Major arrived at the polling station with his wife Norma and was upbeat after casting his vote, joking with the hordes of journalists outside.

But Major, who led the Conservatives to an election victory five years ago, is lagging behind his nearest rival, Labour's Tony Blair, in the opinion polls.

The Labour party looks set to end 18 years of Conservative rule in Britain.

Britain's Prime Minister John Major and his wife Norma arrived at their local polling station, early this morning from their nearby home in Great Stukeley, Huntingdon.

It could Major's last day as leader on the nation, as opinion polls are giving Labour a commanding lead.

But the couple were upbeat as they emerged from the polling station to be greeted by scores of journalists and photographers.

The Tory leader appeared relaxed although he wasn't prepared to predict what the outcome of today's election would be.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
Q: Are you going to win today?
A: "30 (m) million people are deciding that at the moment.
Q: What's your message to the people?
A: Make sure they vote. There's a lot at stake. There's a lot at risk. Go out and vote, it's their future".
Q: What's at stake in summary?
A: All the things we set out in the election campaign".
SUPER CAPTION: John Major, Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader

The Majors then posed for photographs with journalists and photographers who have accompanied him on his marathon six-week election campaign.

He even found time to sign one of the press pack's official election tee-shirts.

Then it was off to the constituency to do a last bit of campaigning before polling booths close tonight at 10 pm local time.

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