Miliband tells party to display vision

LABOUR has been told it must demonstrate to voters it has a vision for the future of British society as it prepares for a "big fight" at the General Election.

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband, who is in charge of the party's election manifesto, insisted the party has made "real progress" but there is "more to be done" ahead of this weekend's regional conference.

Hundreds of delegates from across Yorkshire are expected to descend on Leeds for their final gathering ahead of the election, which is expected to be held on May 6.

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Mr Miliband, MP for Doncaster North, said: "There is a big fight on for Britain's future. At the next election the Labour Party must be ready with a vision of the kind of society we want to see. We've made real progress but there is more to be done.

"People don't live in the politics of an electoral pendulum; they live in changed times where Labour values are more, not less, powerful.

"If we go out and make the case, we should be confident we can succeed."

Labour's deputy leader Harriet Harman will open the conference today, while Cabinet Ministers Hilary Benn, Ed Balls and Yvette Cooper – all Yorkshire MPs – are also due to address delegates.

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Former deputy prime minister John Prescott will send activists away tomorrow with what is expected to be a typically passionate, rallying speech.

Ms Harman said: "Labour made the right decisions to help Yorkshire and the Humber through the recession and we are making the fair choices for jobs and the economic recovery.

"Labour is fighting back as we set out a clear choice for voters in these elections. Every party member has a role to play in this campaign and it is vital that they do because we are fighting back and most importantly we are fighting to win."