Blears calls for more transparency

The party chair sets out her stall with a wide-ranging 10,000-word manifesto for Labour's success.

While urging the party to build on the achievements of the last 10 years and stick firmly to the centre-ground, she acknowledges the need for a new approach to government.

"We need to do politics differently," she writes in the introduction. "Our politics needs to become more of a conversation than a monologue, with more trust on all sides.

"No one believes that government can solve every problem, but no one should believe either that government cannot solve any problem. A new phase of government should be marked by greater transparency and honesty, with greater engagement directly with communities and citizens."

Among suggestions for increasing engagement in decision-making at street-level, Mr Blears proposes direct elections onto NHS Primary Care Trusts.

She also calls for more council housing and shared equity schemes to ease housing problems and first-time buyers, and greater support on families' work/life balance. Ms Blears insists that Labour could shape the next 100 years if it continues to adapt to change.

"There is no iron law of politics which says that the Tories must win elections and that Labour must lose them," she said.

"If Labour can construct a political platform which commands support from a broad enough coalition of the electorate, then there is no logical reason why we cannot witness a century characterised by social progress led by Labour in Government."

The document comes as Tony Blair and John Prescott prepare to stand down this week, prompting elections for a new leader and deputy. Challengers are expected to recommence battle this week following a period of relative calm between rivals during the local election campaign.