FIRST came the good news: the Prime Minister had listened to reason and postponed the local elections for a month. Then came the awful realisation. His announcement effectively kicks off the longest General Election campaign in recent times.

With Tony Blair's comment that he would not "indefinitely suspend the democratic process" beyond June 7, came the clearest signal possible that this will also be national polling day, barring further disasters.

So the starting pistol has been fired. It was just hard to make out amid the gunfire echoing around our farms.

By putting off the local elections, Mr Blair has picked the least worst alternative. He was in a no-win situation. By pressing ahead with a May 3 ballot, the Prime Minister would have appeased those who believed any delay would imply that Britain was closed for business. But he would also have sent a clear message to people in the countryside that their suffering did not matter. Many already feel their concerns have been pushed to the fringes of this Government's agenda.

To have ploughed on with an election regardless of the foot and mouth outbreak would have alienated rural residents - and annoyed many urban dwellers who empathise with their plight.

By changing his mind, Mr Blair has been accused of dithering. There is a thin line between giving a matter careful thought and indecisiveness; in this case, the Prime Minister got his timing right.

North Yorkshire County Council will receive compensation to cover the administrative cost of the delay. Most councillors will be relieved that they are not compelled to sell their political message to voters at a time when many are consumed by the crisis.

The campaign trail will not be cold for long, however. Local elections are still only five further weeks away - a clear signal of Mr Blair's belief that the worst of this terrible outbreak will soon be over. That, perhaps, is the best news to come out of yesterday's Downing Street statement.

Updated: 10:45 Tuesday, April 03, 2001