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Conservatives unveiling manifesto Cameron 'to make Britain better'
(9 minutes later)
The Conservatives are launching their election manifesto, promising to give people more power over their own lives and reduce the role of the state. Conservative leader David Cameron is launching his election manifesto, which he says is a "plan to change Britain for the better".
David Cameron and senior Tories are at Battersea power station in south London ahead of the Tory leader's speech. In a speech in south London he said he wanted it to be the "biggest call to arms" for a generation.
Pledges include helping people to set up their own schools, sack MPs and veto high council tax increases.Pledges include helping people to set up their own schools, sack MPs and veto high council tax increases.
Labour says it is a throwback to old Tory policies while the Lib Dems say the Tories want a "DIY society".Labour says it is a throwback to old Tory policies while the Lib Dems say the Tories want a "DIY society".
In other election developments on Tuesday:In other election developments on Tuesday:
In his foreword to the 130-page manifesto, Mr Cameron said the country must "pull together" to solve its problems.In his foreword to the 130-page manifesto, Mr Cameron said the country must "pull together" to solve its problems.
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague told the BBC they were offering a "big change" from Labour's "top heavy" government.Shadow foreign secretary William Hague told the BBC they were offering a "big change" from Labour's "top heavy" government.
He said: "Now it is time to have faith in a big society instead of in a big government and to change fundamentally the way we think about running the country."He said: "Now it is time to have faith in a big society instead of in a big government and to change fundamentally the way we think about running the country."
Spending reviewsSpending reviews
BBC political correspondent Norman Smith said the message was a clear divide with Labour - who have positioned themselves on the side of "active government".BBC political correspondent Norman Smith said the message was a clear divide with Labour - who have positioned themselves on the side of "active government".
The Conservative manifesto confirms the party's plans to block the bulk of Labour's 1% planned rise in National Insurance from April 2011.The Conservative manifesto confirms the party's plans to block the bulk of Labour's 1% planned rise in National Insurance from April 2011.
The invitation's in the post but will you accept? David Cameron is inviting you "to join the government of Britain". Nick RobinsonBBC political editor Read Nick Robinson's blog dot.Rory: Bevanite EllieThe invitation's in the post but will you accept? David Cameron is inviting you "to join the government of Britain". Nick RobinsonBBC political editor Read Nick Robinson's blog dot.Rory: Bevanite Ellie
The issue dominated the first few days of the election campaign - with the Tories backed by 81 business leaders and Labour accusing them of funding the policy with "fantasy" savings.The issue dominated the first few days of the election campaign - with the Tories backed by 81 business leaders and Labour accusing them of funding the policy with "fantasy" savings.
All parties are facing questions about where they would make cuts to bring down the budget deficit - Mr Hague said: "All public spending programmes will have to be reviewed for value for money... to try to get the most out of the resources available."All parties are facing questions about where they would make cuts to bring down the budget deficit - Mr Hague said: "All public spending programmes will have to be reviewed for value for money... to try to get the most out of the resources available."
But pressed on whether the Tories would rule out raising VAT - something none of the main parties has definitively done - he said: "The plans we have don't involve raising VAT. We are not looking for tax rises. People feel over-taxed."But pressed on whether the Tories would rule out raising VAT - something none of the main parties has definitively done - he said: "The plans we have don't involve raising VAT. We are not looking for tax rises. People feel over-taxed."
Part of the party's "big society" plans involves allowing parents and charities to set up new academy schools, giving people the power to veto council tax rises through local referendums and communities the right to buy their local pub or post office.Part of the party's "big society" plans involves allowing parents and charities to set up new academy schools, giving people the power to veto council tax rises through local referendums and communities the right to buy their local pub or post office.
They will also pledge to cut stamp duty for first-time house buyers and let people elect police commissioners.They will also pledge to cut stamp duty for first-time house buyers and let people elect police commissioners.
Inheritance taxInheritance tax
Mr Hague said it was not an "abdication of government responsibility" to ask people to set up their own schools - rather than providing good ones.Mr Hague said it was not an "abdication of government responsibility" to ask people to set up their own schools - rather than providing good ones.
He said governments could not know how best to run services in every area of the country - as evidenced by "the wide range of failures that we have across our public services" after 13 years of Labour's "big government". It was about having "faith" in people, he added.He said governments could not know how best to run services in every area of the country - as evidenced by "the wide range of failures that we have across our public services" after 13 years of Labour's "big government". It was about having "faith" in people, he added.
With the Conservatives you are on your own, they talk about a big society, in fact what they want is a DIY society Nick CleggWith the Conservatives you are on your own, they talk about a big society, in fact what they want is a DIY society Nick Clegg
The Tories pledge to eliminate the bulk of the structural deficit over the parliament and say the long term unemployed who refuse a job would have to do community work to receive benefits.The Tories pledge to eliminate the bulk of the structural deficit over the parliament and say the long term unemployed who refuse a job would have to do community work to receive benefits.
They also a promise to raise the inheritance tax threshold to £1m and freeze council tax for two years and to increase NHS spending in real terms every year.They also a promise to raise the inheritance tax threshold to £1m and freeze council tax for two years and to increase NHS spending in real terms every year.
And they pledge to set an annual limit for the number of non-European Union migrants allowed in to live and work in the UK.And they pledge to set an annual limit for the number of non-European Union migrants allowed in to live and work in the UK.
'Retread from 2005''Retread from 2005'
Meanwhile UKIP has launched its own manifesto, called "empowering the people" and pledged not to field candidates against any "committed Eurosceptic" from other parties.Meanwhile UKIP has launched its own manifesto, called "empowering the people" and pledged not to field candidates against any "committed Eurosceptic" from other parties.
As well as six Conservatives - the party says it will not run against Labour's David Drew in Stroud, Gloucestershire and will actively campaign on their behalf including, in some cases, putting up posters backing them.As well as six Conservatives - the party says it will not run against Labour's David Drew in Stroud, Gloucestershire and will actively campaign on their behalf including, in some cases, putting up posters backing them.
Labour launched its manifesto on Monday pledging a "fair future". Home Secretary Alan Johnson told the BBC that while Labour were "coming from behind" in the polls they believed people were now concentrating on policies - which he said was the Conservatives' "weakest" area.Labour launched its manifesto on Monday pledging a "fair future". Home Secretary Alan Johnson told the BBC that while Labour were "coming from behind" in the polls they believed people were now concentrating on policies - which he said was the Conservatives' "weakest" area.
He said the Tory plan to empower people "looks to me like they are going to abandon people" and was a "retread from 2005".He said the Tory plan to empower people "looks to me like they are going to abandon people" and was a "retread from 2005".
At a press conference on Tuesday morning, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said: "With the Conservatives you are on your own, they talk about a big society, in fact what they want is a DIY society, where if you are a banker, you get off scot free and you only get tax breaks if you are a millionaire."At a press conference on Tuesday morning, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said: "With the Conservatives you are on your own, they talk about a big society, in fact what they want is a DIY society, where if you are a banker, you get off scot free and you only get tax breaks if you are a millionaire."
The party will launch its manifesto on Wednesday.The party will launch its manifesto on Wednesday.