FORMER London mayor contender Frank Dobson is partying in his home city of York on the eve of launching Labour's General Election campaign.

The Dunnington-born MP, who lost the mayoral fight to Ken Livingstone earlier this year, joined York's Labour stalwarts for a celebration in a house at Fulford.

He has been at Dunnington, where he still has a home, over the festive period to visit friends and family.

The former Health Secretary said he was preparing for his new role as a campaigner for the next General Election, which he expects to be held next year.

He said: "Most of the leading commentators are saying the election will be in the next year, although we do have until May 2002.

"I think it is most likely to be next year, although I know nothing for certain."

His new role makes him responsible for observing opposition campaigns, and organising the campaign for his own party.

He said: "Campaigning takes a lot of time and there are two restraints on MPs who are also Ministers - the amount of administrative work that has to be done, and the restraint on what they say.

"I now have time to dedicate to the campaign and I can concentrate on that."

He has, however, denied national press claims that a partnership between Labour and the Liberal Democrats was being arranged to encourage anti-Tory tactical voting in seats where the Conservatives are a strong force.

He said: "Parties just can't achieve that. The electorate decide which way they are going to vote, and whether they will vote tactically, but they are not told to.

"We can cajole voters, but we certainly cannot command them and they decide themselves if tactical voting is what they want to do."

Since losing this year's London mayoral elections, Mr Dobson has no ambitions for a similar position elsewhere.

He said: "The mayoral system has advantages and disadvantages and the crucial thing is, whatever is done is done with the support of the people of the area.

"York has already opted for a cabinet system of government, but for other places the mayoral system is the preferred option. I certainly would not stand as a candidate anywhere else, though."

adam.nichols@ycp.co.uk