This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-31885907
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Ed Miliband unveils five key Labour election pledges | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Ed Miliband has promised higher living standards for working families as he set out Labour's five key pledges in a pre-election rally. | |
Speaking in Birmingham, the Labour leader set out the pledges based on policies including a rise in the living wage and extending free child care. | |
He said the proposed changes were fundamental for economic recovery. | |
Mr Miliband has already promised controls on immigration and a "rescue plan" for the NHS in previous pledges. | |
'Clear choice' | 'Clear choice' |
He addressed about 1,500 party activists at the rally, which was held with 54 days to go until the general election on 7 May. | |
Labour party members were told: "Today we set out how we can replace a failed, tired government for the few with a government that is truly for all the people of Britain." | |
Mr Miliband said the choice at the forthcoming general election was "not simply between parties and leaders, but different visions of our country". | |
He added: "We say that a country where only the rich and powerful are better off is a country that is failing." | |
He said: "Today I urge the British people to choose optimism, to choose a country for the many, to choose the good of all, to choose hope - and to recognise that when working people succeed, nothing can stop us as a country." | |
He promised to improve living standards for working families through a series of policies such as an energy price freeze, a ban on "exploitative" zero-hour contracts and providing families with 25 hours of free childcare a week. | |
Mr Miliband also promised 20,000 more nurses, 8,000 more doctors, 5,000 more care workers and 3,000 more midwives, all paid for through a mansion tax. | |
He added: "The rescue of the NHS will be the proudest achievement of the next Labour government." | |
Labour's pledge card detailed by Mr Miliband on Saturday sets out five promises to voters: | |
The pledge card was a cornerstone of Labour's 1997 general election campaign under Tony Blair, with the party's five key promises condensed into a pocket-sized format. | The pledge card was a cornerstone of Labour's 1997 general election campaign under Tony Blair, with the party's five key promises condensed into a pocket-sized format. |
Mr Miliband insisted that none of Labour's manifesto commitments will need additional borrowing. | |
His speech is separate from the party's manifesto launch, which comes next month. | His speech is separate from the party's manifesto launch, which comes next month. |
BBC political correspondent Chris Mason said the speech had been "heavy on rhetoric and slogans rather than new policy announcements". | |
Our correspondent said: "The repeated aim was to draw what Ed Miliband saw as the contrast between a future Labour government and a Conservative one. | |
"'The Britain I believe in is one where the security for working people is the bedrock of a successful economy and a decent society' he said. | |
"But he made no reference whatsoever to Scotland where opinion polls suggest the SNP could cost Labour dozens of seats." | |
Mr Miliband stepped up his campaigning earlier this week by carrying out a BBC television interview at home with his wife Justine. | |
But there was a media furore after it emerged from the filming that he has two kitchens in his £2m house in north London. | |
The story has led to critics branding him "Two Kitchens Ed" - a play on the "Two Jags" nickname given to Labour's John Prescott over his apparent fondness for official luxury cars when he was deputy prime minister. | The story has led to critics branding him "Two Kitchens Ed" - a play on the "Two Jags" nickname given to Labour's John Prescott over his apparent fondness for official luxury cars when he was deputy prime minister. |