Blair's manifesto for change

Tony Blair makes a personal appeal to voters to back him in his "last-ever election" today as he publishes a manifesto designed to entrench his political legacy.

The Prime Minister said he wants to make New Labour's changes "irreversible" by winning a historic third term on 5 May.

The manifesto pledges the party will turn Britain into a "genuine meritocracy" if it is allowed to speed up radical reform of public services on the back of a strong economy.

In a highly personal preface, Mr Blair effectively promises that his re-election would change the country just as de e ply as Marga re t Thatcher's three terms did in the Eighties.

The key Labour pledge is to build a society "freed from barriers of class, not just for some time but for all time" by twinning investment in health and education with greater choice for patients, parents and pupils.

The party promises not to raise income tax, to protect Britain from terrorism, to boost childcare, build more homes for first-time buyers and invest in skills and science.

Although there are no real policy surprises, the thrust of the plans for the next Parliament was to "accelerate the pace of change".

In a deliberate contrast to the Tories, the lengthy blueprint is heavy on policy detail, summing up promises made in the Government's five-year plans and the Budget.

It also bears Mr Blair's stamp on every page, making the "New Labour case" for reform.

To underline the Prime Minister's presidential tone, Britain Forward Not Back does not include any pictures except for a full page photograph of Mr Blair. He sets out his political credo to the public for a final time, saying. "I fight my last election as leader of my party and Prime Minister of our country.

"My call is a passionate one. Let's together make irreversible the positive changes that are happening in our country.

"Let's make the values of social justice and a fair deal for all the governing ideal of our country not just for some time but for all time.

"People freed from barriers of class, building a better future for themselves and for the country. Self-interest and national interest together."

Aides said Mr Blair was wary of re-using John Major's infamous pledge to build a " classless society" but felt Labour could actually achieve such an ambitious aim.

Mr Blair adds: "Our ideals are undimmed. Extend opportunity to all, demand responsibilities from all, secure justice for all.

"Our policies are refreshed. Never has a governing party proposed a more wide-ranging programme of change for the country.

"Our vision is clear. A country more equal in its opportunities, more secure in its communities, more confident in its future.

"It is our social contract: we help you, you help yourself. You benefit and the country benefits."

The 110-page, 23,000-word prospectus is about the size of a paperback book. Mr Blair's allies described it as a " policyrich and values-rich" prospectus.

Despite the recent decision to bring Gordon Brown back into the centre of the election campaign, allies of Mr Blair were delighted that the manifesto stresses future reform rather than boasts about Labour's record.

A Labour spokesman said: "Britain Forward Not Back is a serious, substantial, thoughtthrough policy-rich, values-rich programme for government.

"Much of the content will be familiar. Britain Forward Not Back is not a change of direction but an acceleration in the pace of change."

To emphasise that the party was not a one-man band, the whole Cabinet was expected to be at the launch of the manifesto in London today.

Strategists stressed that Mr Brown oversaw the preparation of the economic and education sections and personally wrote "the New Labour case" section

in the economic chapter. They said that the aim was to make public services "safe for a generation".

But in a move that will upset some Brownites, the manifesto commits the party to expanding private hospital use within the NHS, including allowing mothers to have their babies in private maternity units.

The manifesto will pledge to increase child benefit and pay a new top-up to the ?250 child trust fund.

Child tax credit will be increased in line with earnings rather than prices and lone parents who work will be guaranteed ?258 a week.