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12/04/2010
Labour Launches Manifesto
Gordon Brown today launched Labour's 2010 General Election Manifesto, with proposals that are "ambitious but affordable", according to the party.
He said the plans outlined both what Labour "has done well" and the "lessons we take from our experience to date".
Mr Brown said the manifesto is centred on rebuilding the UK economy.
"We will back business to create one million more skilled jobs and grow our economy through advanced technology, exports and business investment," said the Prime Minister.
"Labour’s Manifesto sets out our plan, equipping more people for the jobs of the future with up to 70,000 advanced apprenticeships and new Skills Accounts," he said.
"It also sets out our plan to modernise Britain’s infrastructure with High Speed Rail, a Green Investment Bank and broadband access for all."
The manifesto pledges to revitalise communities, protecting local pubs and post offices; improving care for the elderly with a new National Care Service, and giving new powers to PCSOs to deal with anti-social behaviour.
Mr Brown said Labour would work to restore trust in politics
"Our Manifesto sets out plans to give people a right to recall MPs who let them down, a referendum on moving to the alternative vote for the House of Commons and a referendum on a democratic Second Chamber and a free vote in Parliament on reducing the voting age to 16."
The Prime Minister conceded that this cannot, and will not, be a ‘business as usual’ election or manifesto.
"We will rebuild the economy to secure the recovery and invest in future growth and jobs," he said.
"There are no big new spending commitments, but there is a determination for every penny to be used wisely, and, as present plans make clear, to give the maximum protection to frontline public services."
Other pledges include minimum wage rises, extending paternity leave and a £4-a-week "toddler tax credit" from 2012.
Labour has also insisted there are no plans to raise income tax.
Opposition parties have slammed the election document.
Tories claimed Labour is out of ideas, while Lib Dems said they do not trust the current Government with reforming politics and taxation.
(PR/GK)
He said the plans outlined both what Labour "has done well" and the "lessons we take from our experience to date".
Mr Brown said the manifesto is centred on rebuilding the UK economy.
"We will back business to create one million more skilled jobs and grow our economy through advanced technology, exports and business investment," said the Prime Minister.
"Labour’s Manifesto sets out our plan, equipping more people for the jobs of the future with up to 70,000 advanced apprenticeships and new Skills Accounts," he said.
"It also sets out our plan to modernise Britain’s infrastructure with High Speed Rail, a Green Investment Bank and broadband access for all."
The manifesto pledges to revitalise communities, protecting local pubs and post offices; improving care for the elderly with a new National Care Service, and giving new powers to PCSOs to deal with anti-social behaviour.
Mr Brown said Labour would work to restore trust in politics
"Our Manifesto sets out plans to give people a right to recall MPs who let them down, a referendum on moving to the alternative vote for the House of Commons and a referendum on a democratic Second Chamber and a free vote in Parliament on reducing the voting age to 16."
The Prime Minister conceded that this cannot, and will not, be a ‘business as usual’ election or manifesto.
"We will rebuild the economy to secure the recovery and invest in future growth and jobs," he said.
"There are no big new spending commitments, but there is a determination for every penny to be used wisely, and, as present plans make clear, to give the maximum protection to frontline public services."
Other pledges include minimum wage rises, extending paternity leave and a £4-a-week "toddler tax credit" from 2012.
Labour has also insisted there are no plans to raise income tax.
Opposition parties have slammed the election document.
Tories claimed Labour is out of ideas, while Lib Dems said they do not trust the current Government with reforming politics and taxation.
(PR/GK)
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