Charles Kennedy launched his party's pre-election manifesto in London on Tuesday, prompting claims from Labour and the Tories that the proposals are unaffordable and would lead to higher taxes.

Kennedy said he was not tailoring the party's policies to appeal to former Labour or Tory voters.

His slogan "Freedom, Fairness and Trust" addressed "the day-to-day concerns of families in this country".

He added: "It is our view that this over-centralised, bureaucratic Labour administration is inefficient and not giving value for money to the taxpayers.

"A Liberal Democrat government, with its emphasis on decentralised power, allowing those who do the job the freedom to operate efficiently and effectively, would spend those taxes much better."