"I have fought many battles in my life." Michael Howard starts his manifesto launch with a pugilistic theme. "So if you think I'm not determined to change this country for the better you can think again ... I'm going into battle for Britain."
Brandishing the Tory manifesto, Mr Howard admits it does not have a photo of him on the front. Instead it features the Tories key pledges - "the simple longings of the British people" - in his now distinctive handwriting. It offers people a chance to ensure that the "sunshine of hope through the clouds of disappointment," he adds. 8.30am: Facing questions about why key parts of Tory party policy are absent from its slim-lined manifesto, Mr Howard replies: "I've explained why the manifesto is slim - it's an alien concept - I would actually like people to read it."
Read the Tory manifesto here.
