London Evening Standard/London

David Cameron made the case for five more years in office yesterday with an optimistic pledge to deliver the “good life” to hard-working Britons.
Striking a feel-good tone, the prime minister declared the country was back on its feet, saying: “We are on the brink of something special.”
It marked a return to the “sunshine” of his earliest speeches, as he unveiled a manifesto targeting aspirational working people, with pledges of help with childcare costs, tax cuts for low and middle earners, and support to get onto the housing ladder.
Cameron said: “We offer a good life for those willing to try - because we are the party of working people. The next five years are about turning the good news in our economy into a good life for you and your family.”
The positive language of the manifesto launch in Swindon, Wiltshire, contrasted with previous personal attacks on Ed Miliband, such as the “backstabber” claims made by Defence Secretary Michael Fallon last week.
Cameron allied himself with strivers “who set the alarm early in the morning, do the school run, clock in at work”. There was little mention of welfare cuts and other austerity measures to come in the formal speech. He also targeted Ukip by aligning Tories with “people whose patriotism may be quiet but whose love for this country is deep and great”. Among new promises in the manifesto were:
Doubling the amount of free childcare for working parents of children aged three and four — from 15 hours a week to 30 hours — saving families £2,500.
Some 200,000 new starter homes and 500 new free schools.
Raising the tax-free personal allowance to £12,500 by 2020, and raising the 40p rate threshold to £50,000. The minimum wage will become tax-free for most people on the hourly rate.
Three million more apprenticeships and 50,000 extra start-up loans for small businesses.
The manifesto was expected to confirm flagship pledges of an In-Out referendum on Europe, and a four-vessel replacement for the Trident nuclear deterrent.
“I am above all a patriot,” said Cameron. “I love my country with all my heart.”
His formal speech contained no personal attacks on Labour, but warned that going back to tax-and-spend would “waste” his government’s past term in office.
“Let’s not waste the past five years,” he said. “Now is not a time to put it all at risk - it’s the time to build on the progress we have made.”
His central message was to claim the mantle of the “party of working people” for the Conservatives.
The prime minister added: “If you’re looking for a good job. If you want to buy your own home. If you’re raising a family and need help with childcare. Or a great school place for your child.
“If you fall ill, and need to rely on our NHS. If you are reaching retirement, and want real security.
“We are there for you — offering security at every stage of your life. Yes, the Conservative Party — the real party of working people in our country today.”
He said the Tories had used their five years so far to “save our country from ruin” but needed five more “to finish the job”.
Education Secretary Nicky Morgan, Chancellor George Osborne and Home Secretary Theresa May were all given star billing on the platform with Cameron.
The event began with a video entitled The Note, referring to the notorious letter left by Labour former Treasury minister Liam Byrne, in which he said there was “no money left”.
But senior Conservative Nick Boles admitted his party could fall short of a majority — and might need to form a new coalition after May 7.
Speaking at a business hustings in London, the skills minister said that voters “may produce a hung parliament”.
A new poll of Tory-held marginal seats by Lord Ashcroft showed the Tories trailing or tied with Labour in five out of 10 seats surveyed.
Finchley and Golders Green in north London — where Margaret Thatcher was once MP — was among those where the party was losing, according to the surveys.
May came under pressure to explain how the Tories would fund an extra £8bn a year pledged for the NHS in England by 2020. She insisted that “competent government” would deliver it.