Vote 2005: The big choice
Today, it's the turn of the LibDems to publish its manifesto. The battle lines are drawn. Now we face what Tony Blair calls: The big choice
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Your support makes all the difference.Labour
Labour
Tax
Pledges not to raise income tax and promises cuts for families. Other rises not ruled out, notably national insurance.
Spending
Promises to implement savings in the Gershon review - to cut more than 80,000 civil service jobs and save £21bn.
Education
Big expansion of city academies and specialist schools. University top-up fees capped at £3,000 over next parliament.
Health
Maximum waiting time of 18 weeks from referral to treatment by 2008. More choice over hospital and elderly care.
Pensioners
Incentives to work beyond retirement age. Will wait until the review of pensionsthen formulate a strategy for 'pensions crisis'.
Local Government
Reform council tax after review, but go ahead with revaluation and may introduce supertax bands for costliest homes.
Civil Liberties
A points system for skilled migrants and a pledge to continue cutting asylum numbers. Strongly in favour of ID cards.
Iraq
Defends the war and attempts to draw a line under it, preferring people to move on, pointing to Iraqi interim elections.
Europe
Referendum on EU constitution, but no date set, and to campaign for 'yes' vote. Would back euro if economic tests met.
Environment
Apply international pressure on climate change, reduce CO2 emissions by 60 per cent by 2050. Support emissions trading.
Conservative
Tax
Promises £4bn of cuts but that will not happen for a year. £1.3bn cut from council tax, the rest has yet to be announced.
Spending
Spend £12bn less than Labour by 2007-08. Abolish 150 public bodies, reform immigration and scrap New Deal.
Education
Overhaul school admissions, with more choice for parents. Abolish university fees, but charge interest on student loans.
Health
Choice of any NHS or private hospital, with subsidy for patients who go private. Guarantee a crackdown on MRSA.
Pensioners
Increase basic state pension in line with earnings, not prices - about £7 a week for single pensioners and £11 for couples.
Local Government
Offer pensioners (65 and over) up to £500 off council tax. Oppose local income tax. Action against illegal traveller camps.
Civil Liberties
Reform of asylum and a points system for economic migrants. Sceptical about ID cards. Reform or scrap Human Rights Act.
Iraq
Backed the war but now say Blair misled the public. Using the war to raise concerns about trust in the Government.
Europe
Would set date of referendum on EU constitution on 6 May. Would repatriate control over fishing and quit social chapter.
Environment
Incentives to make homes more efficient. Cut vehicle tax for 'greener' cars. Increase recycling and clearly label British food.
Lib Dem
Tax
Would create a 50 per cent top rate for earners on more than £100,000. Say they do not need further tax rises.
Spending
Scrap the Department of Trade and Industry to save £8.2bn in five years and make savings from other departments.
Education
Cut primary class sizes to 20 using £1bn saved by abolishing the child trust fund. Abolish university tuition fees.
Health
Free long-term care for the elderly, cut "hidden" waiting lists for diagnosis. Free prescriptions and eye tests.
Pensioners
£100 on the state pension for over-75s. All given the right to a citizen's pension based on where they live, not their contributions.
Local Government
Would replace council tax with a local income tax, with cuts for most pensioners. Devolve more power to local communities.
Civil Liberties
Quotas for economic migrants but allow asylum-seekers to work. Scrap ID cards, and spend the money on 10,000 police.
Iraq
Strongly opposed the war on a "flawed prospectus" and made a "never again" pledge one of 10 main commitments.
Europe
Ardently pro-European, would hold early referendum on the euro, and will campaign for a 'yes' on the EU constitution.
Environment
Freeze on GM crops. New target on carbon emissions. 20 per cent of energy to come from renewable sources by 2020.
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