Manifesto launch: Live blog

By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982

14:30 Watch Gordon Brown unveiling Labour’s manifesto.

12:30 After a question about the Liberal Democrats, Gordon Brown says: “We are offering a referendum on a new House of Commons and a new House of Lords; the right of recall and the right of redress. This is the boldest constitutional reform in a century. I’m doing this for reasons of principle, not for reasons of expedience for any relationship of any political party.”

12:30 The full text of Gordon Brown’s speech is now available here.

12:20 Brown: “This is public sector reform, taken to a new level.”

12:20 Brown: “We do not want our advances in hospitals and schools and policing since 1997 to be set back.”

12:15 Gordon is on great form, confidently teasing Nick Robinson for a long question and attacking the Tories on “plans that do not add up”, unless we “assume they put up VAT.”

12:10 Download the full manifesto pdf here. Learn more at www.afuturefairforall.com.

12:05 Gordon Brown says:

“The future will be progressive or conservative, but it will not be both. New Labour is the cause of our lives, and the fight for our future. I’m confident in the vision we hold and the team I lead. At the heart of this manifesto is the great and common purpose of national renewal for all. Yes, we are in the future business: we are building a future fair for all.”

12:05 The shorter second films on specific issues are now also available, here.

12:05 Ellie Gellard introducing the manifesto event:

11:45 The cabinet have all arrived at the Queen Elizabeth hospital in Birmingham. Gordon and Sarah Brown are walking to the hospital now, accompanied by a group of young people.

11:35 Labour have launched a fantastically quirky new film to support the manifesto. Do spread it around.

11:30 Some of LabourList’s new ideas series are likely to be included. I’ll point out which.

11:30 I’ve already been told that no big spending commitments means my favourite policy, free school meals for all primary school children, will not be included.

11:25 Ellie Gellard is introducing the event.

11:25 The front cover for the manifesto has already been released, below. Journalists will be presented with memory sticks with the full manifesto document in pdf format.