
Theresa May today promised a 'new contract' between government and the people as she unveiled a Tory manifesto which pumps billions extra into schools and the NHS - but warned of tough choices ahead.

The PM invoked the spirit of Sir Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher by unveiling a blueprint for power entitled 'Forward, Together' - a phrase coined by the great wartime leader and used by the Britain's first female Prime Minister.

In a bold pitch for working class support, Mrs May bluntly stated that the next few years would not be 'easy' and appealed for an end to 'tribal' attitudes that have divided the nation.

And the PM said she will ask for sacrifices from wealthy pensioners in order to create a 'fairer' post-Brexit Britain.

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Theresa May said today she wanted to build a 'great meritocracy' in Britain after Brexit as she unveiled the Tory manifesto

Launching the Conservative plans backed by the slogan 'forward together', Mrs May said in future no elderly people with wealth of less than £100,000 would have to pay for care

In the foreword to the document, the Prime Minister said the next five years will be the most challenging period the UK has faced for 60 years

Contrasting her approach with Labour's unfunded spending splurge, the Prime Minister said she would not shy away from making 'hard choices' to turn the country into a 'great meritocracy'.

In return, her tough-love manifesto promised a 'new contract' that would expand opportunity more widely, end the domination of elites, and ease the impact of mass immigration.

Launching the Conservative plans in Halifax, Mrs May said every vote for her on June 8 would strengthen her hand in the looming negotiations with Brussels. But she said her ambitions went further.

Leaders who used the phrase 'forward together' Sir Winston Churchill – 13 May 1940 The great wartime leader coined the phrase in a stirring speech made in his first appearance in the Commons after being made Prime Minister. He said: 'But I take up my task with buoyancy and hope. I feel sure that our cause will not be suffered to fail among men. 'At this time I feel entitled to claim the aid of all, and I say, 'come then, let us go forward together with our united strength.' Margaret Thatcher – Party conference 1980 Margaret Thatcher stood in front of a banner proclaiming 'Forward Together' as she delivered a defiant speech. Speaking to her party faithful, the Iron Lady vowed to stand up to the trade unions and uttered her now immortal phrase 'you turn if you want to, the lady's not for turning'. Hillary Clinton - presidential bid Hillary Clinton used the phrase in her ill-fated bid for the presidency. It was emblazoned on the side of one of the Democratic Party's battle buses. And she used the phrase in a tweet the morning after she lost the election to Donald Trump. It read: 'We are stronger together and will go forward together. And you should never, ever regret fighting for that.' —Hillary Richard Nixon - 1969 inauguration The former US president used the phrase several times in his inauguration address Speaking in January 1969, he said: 'As we learn to go forward together at home, let us also seek to go forward together with all mankind.' President Nixon resigned in disgrace five and a half years later following the Watergate scandal. Advertisement

'It is a vision for Britain: a portrait of the kind of country I want this nation to be after Brexit as we chart our own way in the world,' she said.

rs May said in future no elderly people with wealth of less than £100,000 would have to pay for care.

There will also be no need to sell properties during people's lifetimes, with charges taken out of estates after death. Significantly more money will be pumped into the NHS.

But she did not attempt to hide the fact that in order to sustain the social care system and ensure 'fairness' for the younger generation hundreds of thousands of elderly who receive care at home will have to contribute to the costs in future.

In a seismic shift away from the David Cameron years, the 'triple lock' on state pensions - which means they rise by the highest of average earnings, inflation or 2.5 per cent - will be scrapped after experts warned the spiralling bill threatens to bankrupt the country.

Instead from 2020 there will be a 'double lock' without the 2.5 per cent backstop.

The winter fuel allowance for pensioners, worth up to £300 a year, will also be means tested in future to half the £3billion a year bill.

In a manifesto that attempts to redraw the political map with Mrs May's own distinctive brand of Conservatism, the main measures include:

Raise the starting threshold for income tax to £12,500, cutting the bill for millions of workers. The starting point for 40p tax will also go up to £50,000.

Pump £4billion into schools to ensure 'no child will lose out' from a shake-up in education funding.

Scrap David Cameron's 'tax lock' that guaranteed no rise in income tax, VAT or national insurance to free the government's hands.

Guarantee other pensioner benefits, such as the free bus pass, free TV licence and free eye tests.

Axe Nick Clegg's free school dinners for infants, but extend access to breakfast clubs.

Keep the target to cut net migration to the tens of thousands, backed with a series of concrete measures to limit numbers from outside the EU.

A minimum £8billion increase in NHS spending by 2022, with annual real term increases in spending per head.

Increase defence spending by at least 0.5 per cent above inflation in new parliament, and stick to the 2 per cent NATO commitment. But the previous target for an 82,000 army strength is not mentioned.

The government is ready to pay a 'reasonable' Brexit divorce settlement but there will be no 'halfway' compromise on quitting the EU single market.

Mrs May denied that she was introducing 'Mayism' or rejecting the Thatcherite legacy, but also condemned 'untrammelled free markets' and a 'selfish' focus on the individual.

'At this defining moment for the United Kingdom – as we embark on this momentous journey for our nation – we have a chance to step back and ask ourselves what kind of country we want to build together,' she said.

'I believe our United Kingdom can emerge from this period of national change stronger, fairer and more prosperous than ever before.

'I believe we can be a country that stands tall in the world and provides leadership on some of the greatest challenges of our time.

Contrasting her approach with Labour's unfunded spending splurge, the Prime Minister said she would not shy away from making hard choices

Cabinet members including Michael Fallon, Amber Rudd, Boris Johnson, Philip Hammond and David Davis looked on as Mrs May outlined her programme for government today

The Prime Minister arrived in Halifax in her official care today to unveil the Conservatives' crucial election manifesto

'And I believe we can - and must - take this opportunity to build a Great Meritocracy here in Britain.'

In the foreword to the document, the Prime Minister said the next five years will be the most challenging period the UK has faced for 60 years.

TORY MANIFESTO AT A GLANCE SPENDING: Social care - £1.3bn Ensuring nobody has to sell their home while still alive and people with assets under £100,000 do not have to pay. School funding - £4bn Cash to ensure real terms increases for schools and ensure none sees losses under a new national funding formula. Extra cash for the NHS - £8bn At least £8billion extra for the NHS by 2020, with real terms increases in per head spending every year. TAX HIKES/CUTS: End to the pensions triple lock - Billions of pounds each year Pensions will now rise in line with the higher of wages or inflation but not at 2.5 per cent as for the last seven years. Increases to the personal allowance and higher rate threshold Personal allowance to rise to £12,500 and higher rate to £50,000. End to free infant school lunches Universal free hot lunches in infant schools scrapped, replaced with free breakfast for all primary pupils. PROMISES: Immigration Reduce net inflows below 100,000. Cap energy bills A 'safeguard tariff cap' to protect people who do not switch suppliers. Workers rights revolution New rights including to take a year unpaid leave to care for a relative. New grammar schools A new wave of grammar schools for the first time in a generation. Housebuilding Build 1.5million homes between 2015 and 2022. Advertisement

As well as the massive task of pulling the UK out of the European Union, the government elected next month will need to deal with the challenges of building a strong economy, tackling social division, meeting the pressures of an ageing society and making sure that Britain responds to the upheavals caused by fast-changing technology, she said.

'The next five years are the most challenging that Britain has faced in my lifetime. Brexit will define us: our place in the world, our economic security and our future prosperity,' said Mrs May.

'So now more than ever, Britain needs a strong and stable government to get the best Brexit deal for our country and its people.

'Now more than ever, Britain needs strong and stable leadership to make the most of the opportunities Brexit brings for hard-working families.

'Now more than ever, Britain needs a clear plan.

'This manifesto - Forward, Together: Our Plan for a Stronger Britain and a Prosperous Future - will meet the great challenges of our time, beyond Brexit.

'With this plan and with a strong hand through Brexit, we will build a stronger, fairer, more prosperous Britain for all of us.'

Mrs May has acknowledged she needs to take difficult decisions to tackle Britain's biggest problems, including social care which is facing a deficit of £5billion a year.

The Treasury is expected to rake in an extra £1.3billion per year by making those who receive care at home use the value of their property to contribute to costs.

But for many the eventual sale of a family home is likely to be the only measure available to clear debts.

The manifesto was launched in the Labour-held marginal seat of Halifax in Yorkshire, in a sign of the Tories' growing belief that they can make progress in the Opposition's traditional heartlands.

Mrs May insisted she will not be constrained by what 'elites in Westminster' regard as the 'supposed centre ground'.

And she reiterated her warning to voters not to trust Jeremy Corbyn to push through the process of leaving the EU, saying the consequences of getting it wrong would be 'dire'.

'Brexit will define us: our place in the world, our economic security and our future prosperity,' she said.

'Now more than ever, Britain needs a strong and stable government to get the best deal for our country.'

The manifesto says Britain would be ready to pay a 'fair' settlement to reflect liabilities to the EU, but insisted: 'The days of Britain making vast annual contributions to the European Union will end.'

It added: 'We continue to believe that no deal is better than a bad deal for the UK. But we will enter the negotiations in a spirit of sincere co-operation and committed to getting the best deal for Britain.'

MAY: 'WE'LL PROTECT TROOPS FROM WITCHHUNTS' British troops will be protected from ‘unscrupulous’ law firms that pursue ‘vexatious’ legal claims, under the Conservative manifesto. The policy document sets out several commitments to ensure UK soldiers who risk their lives on the battlefield will not be relentlessly hounded. But it drops a previous pledge to keep the number of regular soldiers at 82,000 in a sign of the recruitment crisis facing the military. Critics said this opened the door to potential cuts. Under a Conservative government, legal aid will be restricted for firms drumming up cases against soldiers. European human rights law will also be suspended on the battlefield to end the industry of baseless claims against British troops, the manifesto set out. In a victory for the Daily Mail – which has campaigned to end the witch-hunt against troops – the Tories pledged to ‘protect’ courageous soldiers who risk their lives. Theresa May said: ‘We owe a debt of gratitude to those who make sacrifices to keep us safe. Under my leadership we will end the injustice of servicemen and women being let down by the society they have protected.’ She said Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn had ‘shamefully spent decades campaigning to disband our Armed Forces’. The manifesto also commits to establishing new bodies to address legacy issues in Northern Ireland ‘that do not unfairly focus on former members of the Armed Forces’. The Tories have stuck to their commitment to spend at least 2 per cent of GDP on defence, and pledge a £1 billion-a-year increase in defence spending. But instead of the 82,000 target, the manifesto says: ‘We will maintain the overall size of the Armed Forces, including an Army that is capable of fielding a war-fighting division.’ Advertisement

The appearance of the Conservative battlebus heralded the launch of the Tory manifesto at a former mill in Halifax - a Labour held marginal

Boris Johnson and Philip Hammond were whispering to each other as they waited for the PM to appear in Halifax today

Protesters, including some bearing Socialist Worker placards, had gathered outside the venue ahead of the Tory launch in Yorkshire today

Police were making sure the protesters did not get too close to the ministers arriving at the event in Yorkshire today

May vows she WILL slash immigration below 100,000 as she sets out her red lines for her negotiations with the EU

Theresa May has vowed she will cut immigration below 100,000 with her Brexit deal and tough new rules on foreign arrivals if re-elected on June 8.

Despite failing to meet the pledge in the past, the Conservative manifesto promises to cut migration to the tens of thousands for the third successive election.

Mrs May will change the law to make it more expensive for firms to bring in foreign workers and make it more expensive for non British nationals to use the NHS.

The Prime Minister's blueprint for power sets out her red lines ahead of the Brexit talks, which the EU say can begin within hours of the election being declared.

Theresa May has vowed she will cut immigration below 100,000 with her Brexit deal and tough new rules on foreign arrivals if re-elected on June 8

Despite failing to meet the pledge in the past the Conservative manifesto promises to cut migration to the tens of thousands for the third successive election

The Tories still enjoy a huge advantage over Labour in the polls ahead of the general election on June 8

The manifesto makes clear the Tories will seek to 'bear down on immigration'.

Unlike Labour's plans, the numerical target remains and foreign students will continue to be included in the statistics.

The manifesto said: 'We will increase the earnings thresholds for people wishing to sponsor migrants for family visas.

'We will toughen the visa requirements for students, to make sure that we maintain high standards.

'We will expect students to leave the country at the end of their course, unless they meet new, higher requirements that allow them to work in Britain after their studies have concluded.

'Overseas students will remain in the immigration 55 statistics – in line with international definitions – and within scope of the government's policy to reduce annual net migration.'

May unveils her social care revolution that means no one has to sell their home but many WILL have to pay more

Theresa May has unveiled her social care revolution that will mean no-one has to sell their home before they die.

But the plans will see thousands paying more for their care into old age in future.

The Conservative manifesto guarantees everyone can protect up to £100,000 to pass on after their death - more than four times the current threshold.

This does include for the first time the family home meaning in some cases property will have to be sold after death to cover charges.

The Conservative manifesto guarantees everyone can protect up to £100,000 to pass on after their death - more than four times the current threshold.

But Mrs May said the Tory plan was the 'first ever' to grasp the 'great challenge' of building a system that works in an ageing population and gives people dignity in their old age.

The manifesto set out a three point plan for the care system - making means tests the same for domiciliary care as for residential care, setting a capital 'floor' of £100,000 and ensuring people who need care at home can defer bills until after death.

It said: 'We believe this powerful combination maximises protection for pensioner households with modest assets, often invested in the family home, while remaining affordable for taxpayers.

'We consider it more equitable, within and across the generations, than the proposals following the Dilnot Report, which mostly benefited a small number of wealthier people.'

The changes will be partly paid for cutting winter fuel payments to better off pensioners.

Reforms to the state pension, replacing the triple local with a double lock, will also save the Government billions over the coming decades.

Clegg's fury as Tories scrap hot free school lunches and use the cash saved to help boost education spending

Theresa May today announced she will scrap hot free school lunches to primary school children - but will roll out free breakfasts instead.

The Prime Minister said the money saved by the move will help boost spending on schools by £4billion.

The plans, which were unveiled in the Conservative Party's manifesto which was launched today in Halifax, will help ensure that no school loses out when their funding formula is changed.

But they were condemned by a furious Nick Clegg - who introduced free school lunches when he was deputy PM in the coalition government.

Theresa May, pictured at a school in the West Midlands on Tuesday, has announced plans to axe free hot lunches to all primary school children in their first three years of school

The move was condemned by a furious Nick Clegg - who introduced free school lunches when he was deputy PM in the coalition government

Currently, all children in their first three years at primary school get a free hot lunch - a policy credited with helping to boost concentration and attainment in the classroom.

The Conservative manifesto said a proper breakfast is 'at least as effective in helping children to make progress in school' and will offer it to all primary school pupils.

The Tories also pledged to keep the pupil premium, which pumps extra money into schools with advantaged children.

The manifesto states: 'We will increase the overall schools budget by £4 billion by 2022, representing more than a real terms increase for every year of the parliament.

'We will continue to protect the pupil premium to support those who need it. In order to fund these commitments, we have taken an important decision.

'We do not believe that giving school lunches to all children free of charge for the first three years of primary school – regardless of the income of their parents – is a sensible use of public money.

'There is now good evidence that school breakfasts are at least as effective in helping children to make progress in school.'

Lib Dem Mr Clegg tweeted: 'Free infant lunches policy was saving millions of struggling families over £450. Breakfasts covers fewer children. Cheaper for govt. Cynical.'

Outrage as Theresa May confirms a Commons vote on scrapping the ban on fox hunting WILL be held

Theresa May provoked outrage today as she confirmed she would call a Commons vote on scrapping the ban on fox hunting.

The League Against Cruel Sports said there was 'no justification' for scrapping the law against hunting with dogs.

The lobby group said the controversial laws should instead be properly enforced, insisting the public as a whole did not back hunting.

Mrs May promised a free vote on Government laws for the measure - but did not put a timescale on when the vote would be held.

Theresa May provoked outrage today as she confirmed she would call a Commons vote on scrapping the ban on fox hunting (file picture of the Avon Vale Hunt)

The League Against Cruel Sports said there was 'no justification' for scrapping the law against hunting foxes with dogs

The Prime Minister has said she would vote to lift the ban on fox hunting despite never having taken part in a hunt - insisting it was less cruel than other ways of controlling foxes.

But it is hard to forecast how the new Commons might split on the issue. The 2015 Parliament was thought never likely to endorse repealing the ban.

Eduardo Gonçalves, Chief Executive of the League Against Cruel Sports, said: 'We're disappointed to see the commitment to a free vote on the Hunting Act included in the manifesto given the strong support the ban on hunting has among Conservative MPs and Conservative voters.

'Hopefully any attempt to repeal, weaken or replace the Hunting Act will be prevented by those members of all parties who oppose the killing of animals for fun.