Blair launches third and final manifesto
{{date|April 13, 2005}}

[[Tony Blair|Tony Blair]] today launched the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party's]] 112 page manifesto for a third term, entitled "Britain: Forward not back", at London's {{w|Mermaid Theatre|Mermaid Theatre}} this afternoon, promising not to increase income tax or VAT.

Blair, with Chancellor [[Gordon Brown|Gordon Brown]], described the manifesto, which focused on economic policy, as "radical", "quintessentially New Labour" and giving people the "chance to succeed and make the most of what they have".

As well as economic promises, the manifesto pledged better social housing, increased funding and reform of education and the National Health Service and the introduction of community police patrols.  The manifesto does not promise a freeze on National Insurance, the income-linked tax which funds the [[NHS|NHS]] and pensions.

Conservative leader {{W|Michael Howard|Michael Howard}} said that the British people had "heard it all before", and reiterated claims that Labour would have to increase taxes significantly in the third term.

Deputy leader of the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]], Sir {{W|Menzies Campbell|Menzies Campbell}}, whose party was the only mainstream party consistently against the Iraq war, said Labour would "not be judged by their promises, but by what they have done", adding that Labour have not kept their previous promises.

The {{W|Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party}} and [[Green Party of England and Wales|Green Party]] launched their manifestos yesterday, and the Liberal Democrats launch theirs tomorrow.

==Election latest==
{{UK election latest}}

==Sources==
* {{source|url=http://www.labour.org.uk/manifesto.html|author=Tony Blair ''et al''|title=Britain: Forward not back|pub=The Labour Party|date=April 13, 2005
|brokenURL=true
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050415023503/http://www.labour.org.uk/manifesto.html
|archivedescription=Archived from the original on April 15, 2005 via the Internet Archive
}}
* {{source|url=http://politics.guardian.co.uk/election/story/0,15803,1458614,00.html?gusrc=rss|pub=The Guardian|date=April 13, 2005|title=Blair launches Labour's manifesto|author=Tom Happold}}
* {{source|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,19809-1567548,00.html|pub=The Times|date=April 13, 2005|author=Chris Johnston|title=Blair launches 'most radical' manifesto
|brokenURL=true
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080112155113/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,19809-1567548,00.html
|archivedescription=Archived from the original on January 12, 2008 via the Internet Archive
}}
* {{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/vote_2005/frontpage/4438489.stm|author=|title=Blair makes manifesto tax pledge|pub=BBC News|date=April 13, 2005}}

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[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Elections]]
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[[Category:Tony Blair]]
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[[Category:Liberal Democrats (UK)]]
Tony Blair today launched the Labour Party's 112 page manifesto for a third term, entitled "Britain: Forward not back", at London's Mermaid Theatre this afternoon, promising not to increase income tax or VAT.

Blair, with Chancellor Gordon Brown, described the manifesto, which focused on economic policy, as "radical", "quintessentially New Labour" and giving people the "chance to succeed and make the most of what they have".

As well as economic promises, the manifesto pledged better social housing, increased funding and reform of education and the National Health Service and the introduction of community police patrols.  The manifesto does not promise a freeze on National Insurance, the income-linked tax which funds the NHS and pensions.

Conservative leader  said that the British people had "heard it all before", and reiterated claims that Labour would have to increase taxes significantly in the third term.

Deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, Sir , whose party was the only mainstream party consistently against the Iraq war, said Labour would "not be judged by their promises, but by what they have done", adding that Labour have not kept their previous promises.

The  and Green Party launched their manifestos yesterday, and the Liberal Democrats launch theirs tomorrow.
Politics and conflicts Elections Europe United Kingdom Published Tony Blair Gordon Brown Labour Party (UK) Green Party of England and Wales Michael Howard National Health Service Conservative Party (UK) Liberal Democrats (UK)