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Ed Miliband unveils five key Labour election pledges 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 in a pre-election rally. Ed Miliband has promised higher living standards for working families as he set out Labour's five key pledges.
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. 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.
He said the proposed changes were fundamental for economic recovery. Mr Miliband, who has already promised more immigration controls and a "rescue plan" for the NHS, said the changes were fundamental for economic recovery.
Mr Miliband has already promised controls on immigration and a "rescue plan" for the NHS in previous pledges. 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.