TONY Blair was due to launch Labour's election manifesto today with the promise not to increase income tax.

It mirrors a pledge made in 1997. So far, taxation has been the key issue in the early election skirmishes.

The 44-page, 28,000-word document, entitled Ambitions for Britain, will stress the need for continuity and a second Labour term. Most of the policy pledges will echo what has already been announced in the ten-year plans for the NHS, transport and crime.

The manifesto, which was being launched in Birmingham, contains ten goals for 2010 set out under five chapter headings. Each chapter contains five "steps" towards those goals to be accomplished in the next Parliament. Such a long-term perspective has raised suggestions that Mr Blair is planning for the next election as well.

The Welsh version of the manifesto, called Ambitions for Wales, was due to be launched in Rhyl this afternoon. A party spokesman said that, like the British document, the key themes would be developing talents and giving opportunities.

Tony Blair was due to talk about breaking through the "glass ceiling" that has prevented people from achieving their full potential.

The document has been drawn up to incorporate many of the targets on health and education already set by the Assembly.

"We're not going to pull any rabbits out of the hat. This document is the next step, we want to build on what we have already achieved," said the spokesman.

They say their policies are fully costed and based on the strength of the economy.

Among the Welsh promises will be the recruitment of at least an extra 380 doctors, plus a pledge to reduce waiting- times - not the waiting-lists which have proved so troublesome - on a year-by-year basis.

Cabinet Minister Ian McCartney was the latest big- hitter to visit Monmouth today. He was due to be celebrating the tenth anniversary of Huw Edwards' first victory over Roger Evans in the by-election which followed the death of Sir John Stradling Thomas. Mr Evans won the seat a year later, before Mr Edwards took it back in 1997.