ED MILIBAND vowed to put the interests of working people first yesterday as he revealed the policies on which Labour will fight the general election.

Launching Labour’s manifesto in Manchester, Mr Miliband said Britain needed to break with the Tory belief that “low pay is necessary for Britain to succeed.”

And he promised to “change the way this country is run and who it is run for” if elected on May 7.

In a passionate speech, he said: “I am ready. Ready to put an end to the tired old idea that as long as we look after the rich and powerful we will all be OK.

“Ready to put into practice the truth that it is only when working people succeed, that Britain succeeds.”

Raising the minimum wage to £8 by 2020, freezing rail fares and a new national childcare service were among five key pledges on living standards in the manifesto.

GMB general secretary Paul Kenny said the manifesto put clear red water between Labour and Tories.

He said: “Voters are faced with a stark choice — a party governing in the interest of corporate bosses with zero-hours contracts and for tax breaks for the wealthy elite or a party seeking to provide rights and protection for working people.”

Page one of Labour’s manifesto was given over to a more controversial pledge not to increase borrowing in order to cut the deficit.

Left MP Michael Meacher has led opposition to such rigid commitments and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon yesterday said it showed Labour was signed up to austerity.

But Mr Miliband insisted “there is no trade-off between being disciplined and making a difference.”

Labour’s manifesto also pledges to take on vested interests in the media — an issue Mr Miliband was pressed on by journalists after his speech.

The document says Labour remains “strong committed” to implementing the Leveson Inquiry’s recommendation for an independent press regulator.

Mr Miliband said: “There are significant issues that need to be looked at in regard to media plurality and that is something that the next government will do.”

Following the launch, campaigning MP Tom Watson announced he was establishing the “Labour Campaign for Leveson” to put pressure on the party to take action.

“Many proprietors continue to defy public opinion and Parliament over reformed standards in a discredited newspaper industry,” he said.

“Labour support is crucial.”