Blair Launches Labor Election Manifesto

British Prime Minister Tony Blair Wednesday launched the ruling Labor's election manifesto with a pledge to deliver economic stability and public service reform.

The 44-page document, entitled Ambitions for Britain, sets out the party's policy goals not just for the next parliament but right up until 2010 and includes the pledge not to raise the basic or higher rates of income tax.

Speaking in Birmingham, England, Blair said Labor was asking the British people to allow it to get on with the job of delivering "real and radical" changes.

The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats launched a preemptive strike earlier Wednesday accusing Labor of failing to deliver on the promises it made in 1997.

The manifesto contains many of the pledges already outlined by Labor including more nurses, doctors, teachers and police officers.

It commits the party to spending billions of pounds on education, health, police and transport in the first three years of the next parliament.

The party renews its pledge to reform the National Health Service (NHS), including establishing new specially-built surgical units to cut delays for operations.

And it will give more freedom to head teachers and "radically improve" secondary schools.

The manifesto also commits Labor to holding a referendum on joining the euro when the economic climate is right and giving members of parliament a free vote early in the next parliament on

banning fox-hunting.

On crime, the manifesto promises an overhaul of sentencing to ensure tougher punishment for criminals and a new victims' bill of

rights.

The party would also establish a new department of rural affairs, widely expected to replace the ministry of agriculture.

"I know we have a great deal more still to do. We have made a start. There is progress and now we have a chance to begin the work we have begun. Now I ask the British people to let us get on with the job of continuing the real and radical change," Blair

said.

"This is a manifesto that takes the next steps to building a strong society, strong economy and strong Britain," he added.

Blair also promised to reform public services while also

increasing spending.

"Money alone is not enough. That is why we are also committed to fundamental reform to our public services," he said. "There should be no barriers, no dogma, no vested interest that stands in the way of delivering the best services for our people."

It was the first time the Labor Party has launched its manifesto outside London in what Blair called "the heart of" the country.

Birmingham is expected to be a key battleground in the general election with Labor defending many marginal seats.

Blair was joined on the platform by cabinet ministers and student members of the party.






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