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Ed Miliband unveils Labour's five key election pledges | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Ed Miliband has promised higher living standards for working families as he set out Labour's five key pledges. | |
Speaking at a pre-election rally in Birmingham, the Labour leader set out pledges, including a rise in the living wage and extending free child care. | |
Mr Miliband, who has already promised more immigration controls and a "rescue plan" for the NHS, said the changes were fundamental for economic recovery. | |
Tory chairman Grant Shapps said Labour would bring in higher taxes and debt. | |
'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. | 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." | 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". | 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 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 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. | 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. | 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." | 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: | 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. | 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". | 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. | 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. | "'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." | "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. | 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. | 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. |
Responding to the speech, Conservative Party chairman Mr Shapps said the choice for voters at the election would be one of "competence or chaos". | |
"The real choice at this election is between the stability and strong leadership of David Cameron and the Conservatives working to a long-term economic plan, securing a better future for Britain. | |
"Or Ed Miliband carried into Downing Street in the pocket of Alex Salmond and the SNP - meaning more borrowing, more debt, higher taxes and weaker defences," he said. |