British Prime Minister Tony Blair today launched Labour's manifesto for an historic third term promising a "radical acceleration of the changes" made by the party over the past eight years.
Unveiling the party's programme for power at London's Mermaid Theatre, Mr Blair said: "I believe this country is better, stronger and fairer than the country we inherited from the Conservatives in 1997. But we can do so much more.
"This manifesto is quintessentially new Labour. At its core is the traditional value that we should stand up for the many, not the few, breaking down the barriers that hold people back, allowing everyone to fulfil their potential.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair
"It's also set firmly in modern reality in a fast-changing world. Opportunity and security for all in a world of change - that is our purpose."
Mr Blair, flanked by his cabinet colleagues, said there was a "big vision" behind the 112-page document. "It is that everyone, not just the few, should get the chance to succeed and make the best of the talent they have.
"Every line in this manifesto and the driving mission behind it is to support and help hard-working families to cope and prosper in the face of the stresses and strains and struggles of modern life.
"Their interests come first. Their priorities are our priorities." The Labour leader pledged to work for a strong economy by keeping interest rates and inflation as low as possible. "We will never return to the stop-go of the past," he promised.
Mr Blair said the minimum wage would rise to £5.35 (€7.80) from October 2006. "We will keep or increase tax credits and extend the New Deal so everyone gets the chance of a job and a decent living wage."
He said the NHS would be kept free at the point of use and through rising investment the Health Service would be thoroughly modernised - putting power in the hands of patients and allowing them to get the treatment they needed at the time they wanted.
On education, he said investment would rise year on year so that over time every primary and secondary school would be rebuilt and given the classrooms, sports halls and computer facilities they needed.
On immigration, Mr Blair pledged: "We will introduce strict controls on immigration and carry on reducing asylum numbers. "But because the British people are decent and tolerant, we will continue to give asylum to genuine refugees and never play politics with immigration."
The Prime Minister also promised a foreign policy that was strong on defence and fought the "scandal" of world poverty, while taking radical action on climate change. The manifesto, he said, represented a "radical acceleration of the changes we have seen these past eight years".
PA