Mr Blair and Gordon Brown at the launch of the Big Conversation

Breast-feeding and under-age drinking were among the other issues raised at an event with Tony Blair in his Sedgefield constituency.

The initiative is aimed at re-engaging the electorate with politics.

But Mr Blair would not be drawn on which of the remaining contestants he favours in the Pop Idol talent show.

The prime minister spent an hour at Ferryhill Catholic Club talking to about 50 voters about government policy.

Guests included a residents' association and representatives from the Sure Start scheme.

Loan sharks

Mr Blair was joined by ex-health secretary Alan Milburn, who is MP for neighbouring Darlington.

Labour was keen to stress that those attending were not hand-picked party members.

Issues raised included ways of encouraging people off benefits, beating loan sharks, the health benefits of breast feeding and encouraging young people to become electricians and plumbers via modern apprenticeships.

In the church hall, Mr Blair spent around 10 minutes at each of the five tables as mince pies and tea was served.

He said that talking to people directly in such circumstances was often the best way of discussing views - rather than mass demonstrations such as the anti-war protests or those by the Countryside Alliance.

"People who shout the loudest are not always right in my experience," he said.

No predictions

The prime minister also revealed that his family were following the Pop Idol programme and were surprised that contestant Sam Nixon was not in the final - but he stopped short of predicting who would win.

"I'm going to keep out of that, I think it is probably wise," he said.

Mother Joanne Spry, 25, said she had valued the opportunity to raise issues with Mr Blair.

"I think he understands how important Sure Start is for children."

Claire Wallace, also 25, who has three children aged five, three and 16 months, said she had discussed the family tax credit with the prime minister.

Prospectus

Mr Blair launched what he said was the biggest consultation exercise ever with voters in November.

13 questions for voters How do we build on economic stability? How do we do more to tackle poverty and inequality? How do we lead healthier lives? How do we make our communities safe? How do we give every child an excellent education? How do we balance work and family life? How do we ensure security and well-being in older age? How do we provide a modern transport network? How do we create a fair asylum and immigration system that benefits Britain? How do we safeguard our environment for future generations? How do we do more to connect politics and people? How do we make Britain stronger in Europe? How do we develop our concept of international community?

The Big Conversation includes a 77-page document setting out the challenges faced by Britain and website that allows people to air their views on policy.

Critics of the idea have dismissed it as a New Labour "gimmick".

The Big Conversation includes a website aimed at giving people a chance to air their views on policies.

Among the questions raised by the document is whether councils should have greater power to ban workplace smoking.

It also asks if rowdy city centre pubs and clubs should have to contribute towards policing.

Other issues include the future of funding in further education and UK membership of the single currency.

The prospectus - entitled 'A Future Fair for All' asks: "How important is the euro to locking in macroeconomic stability?"

It also lists Labour's record in government and summarises current policy areas that are under discussion.

Voters are asked to e-mail or text their views - the latter costing 25p on top of the usual charges.

Touring the country

Mr Blair, along with ministers and Labour MPs, MEPs, and councillors, has pledged to visit many parts of the UK in the coming months to discuss the issues and Friday's event is part of that.

At the time of its launch Conservative head of policy co-ordination David Willetts told BBC News Online he suspected the prime minister would not take any notice of people's opinions.

"I hope he really does listen. The trouble is all the evidence is he won't.

"After all, he's just announced this week that he's bringing in top-up fees and - that is not something students want, it's not something we want and it's not something many of his backbenchers want."