Instead of meeting the Queen to seek the dissolution of Parliament, he will attend vespers in memory of the Pope at Westminster Cathedral this afternoon.

The decision to delay the start of the campaign came as all three main political parties suspended election hostilities for two days after the Pope’s death. The Prime Minister considered that it would have been “disrespectful” to stick with his original plan to name polling day, expected to be May 5, less than 48 hours after the Pope’s death and with so many Catholics still in deep mourning.

His wife Cherie travelled from Chequers to Westminster Cathedral yesterday for a special Requiem Mass while Mr Blair stayed behind to pay tribute to the Pope in a televised address. He said the world had lost a religious leader “who was revered across people of all faiths and none”. Downing Street issued a statement at lunchtime making clear that Mr Blair would not be announcing the election today.

“In response to speculation, we can confirm that he will not be going to Buckingham Palace tomorrow,” the statement said.

All other events planned for yesterday had already been called off. Gordon Brown, the Chancellor, cancelled a speech on education in the key marginal Yorkshire seat of Shipley.

Michael Howard, the Conservative leader, withdrew from all his public engagements and Charles Kennedy, the Liberal Democrat leader, postponed the start of a nationwide tour until Tuesday.

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