It is a clear example from London of broken Tory promises and how the Conservatives cannot be relied on with our public services.

Labour’s Navin Shah AM said: “Boris Johnson misled Londoners today when he told the Assembly that no ticket offices will close under his programme of ticket office cuts that constitute one of his biggest broken election promises. Documents released today show he was not telling truth. Several ticket offices will close, others will close for most of the week and large numbers of offices will see their opening hours drastically cut. Nearly five hundred ticket office staff will be lost under these Conservative cuts and many stations will feel less safe and less friendly as a result of this broken election pledge.

“Nearly two years in Londoners are entitled to ask what the mayor is delivering. It shows our public services are not safe with the Tories.”

Boris Johnson’s time as London’s Mayor has been marked by a series of broken promises, some details of which are available here and here.

Labour today publishes A Future Fair for All: New industries, future jobs, which sets out Labour’s policies for long term economic success and highlights the risk posed by the Tories’ old-fashioned ideological rejection of any role for government in equipping our firms and people for a global economy.

To read a copy of A Future Fair for All: New industries, future jobs please click here.

Peter Mandelson, Labour’s Business Secretary, writes in the foreword:

“For a decade with Labour, Britain’s economy grew strongly. But the global banking crisis is a stark reminder that growth cannot be taken for granted, and the foundations of the economy must be strong.

“Our long term economic success depends on a balanced British economy and the ability of our businesses and our people to compete for high-skilled jobs in the industries of the future. Sophisticated services, modern advanced manufacturing, the creative industries, the life sciences: all examples of where British firms lead the world.

“Labour believes that the Government must play a supportive role in helping business succeed. Government invests in the infrastructure, helps fund the science and research and helps invest in the skills. The Tories believe that government can only get in the way.

“For thirteen years Labour has invested in Britain’s future. It has renewed our university system to its highest ever global standing. It refused to accept the inevitable decline of our regional economies, but invested successfully in their renewal. It has worked with business to create an environment that is ranked best in Europe for running a company and second only to the US as a magnet for foreign investment.

“For the future Labour wants to build on these strong foundations. We are committed to a greener, smarter, even more skilled Britain. One that generates more knowledge and is better than anyone else at turning that knowledge into innovation and economic growth. One that exports more and invests more. One at the cutting edge of technology and the transition to low carbon and clean energy.

“Our industrial activism agenda has invested in all of these strengths. The Tories’ old-fashioned ideological rejection of any role for government in equipping our firms and people for a global economy have left them stranded with no plan for growth, and no vision of Britain’s industrial future.”

David Cameron’s cuts to Sure Start children’s centres would deal a devastating blow to families in the East Midlands who are on middle and modest incomes – that was the message from Labour’s Regional Minister, Phil Hope MP, as local ‘Save Our Sure Start’ campaigns against Tory plans to take £200 million from Sure Start were launched.

On the same day that Labour announced it has delivered on its pledge to build 3,500 Sure Start centres across England, campaigns across the East Midlands against Conservative plans to cut Sure Start for families on middle and modest incomes gathered pace with local campaigns and online at www.saveoursurestart.com.

Phil Hope MP, Regional Minister for the East Midlands said:

“There are hundreds of Sure Start centres here in the East Midlands and when I talk to local families, they make it very clear to me just how vital their Sure Start centre is to them. While Labour will guarantee that investment in Sure Start will continue to rise, there is a real risk that centres in the East Midlands, which have become so valuable to the community, would have to close under the Tories.

“That’s why I’m delighted to join families in the East Midlands in the Save Our Sure Start campaign. By taking Sure Start back to a time when it didn’t support families on middle and modest incomes, the Conservatives would return us to the failed old Tory polices of ghettoising support for the most vulnerable people.

“I am proud to fight this election on a commitment to protecting our Sure Start centres. Because a Sure Start centre for all families in the East Midlands, not just a few, is how we will build a future fair for all.”

David Miliband MP said:

“It is right to take a look at the dangerous position the Tories have adopted – a position that is bad for Britain and bad for Europe.

“David Cameron has quit the mainstream – leaving behind the French and German Governments for extreme fringe parties he wouldn’t be seen dead with at home. He leads a party that would isolate Britain abroad.

“David Cameron has designed a Europe policy that panders to the right-wingers in his party. His policy in Europe exposes his claims to have changed the Conservative Party to be completely false.”

You can view or download the document here [pdf].

On the same day that Labour announced it has delivered on its pledge to build 3,500 Sure Start centres across England, the campaign in Cornwall against Conservative plans to cut Sure Start for families on middle and modest incomes gathered pace, with people campaigning door to door and online at www.saveoursurestart.com

Jude Robinson Labour’s PPC for Camborne, Redruth & Hayle said:

“On the doorstep, parents tell me that Sure Start helps them to give their children the best possible start in life. I’ve spoken to many mothers – and fathers – who have found Sure Start’s support an absolute life-saver.”

Sure Start has given thousands of children the best possible start in life, delivering real benefits to the education and health of families across Cornwall.

Jude added: “It is hard to believe that before Labour came to office in 1997, Sure Start did not exist at all. It is one of my party’s best achievements and we want to make sure that all families, including those on middle and modest incomes, will always be able to count on Sure Start.”

Sue Winter, one of the leading campaigners against the closure of Trevu Children’s Centre in Camborne said:

“The Conservatives are completely out of touch with the needs of parents and young children on this issue. Sure Starts are a lifeline for so many people – they provide access to information, education, play, advice, training, child care, and emotional and practical support from midwives, health visitors, counsellors and peer groups all under one roof in a friendly, safe and welcoming environment.

“I know of several mums who have received help with post-natal depression and without Sure Start they wouldn’t have known where to go or who to ask for help. Cutting Sure Starts will have a detrimental effect some of the most vulnerable people in our society including our children.”

Schools Secretary Ed Balls said:

“In 1997, there were no Children’s Centres, but today there are 3,500. Labour created Sure Start and will continue investing in it as a universal service for all families with children under five.

“But by cutting Sure Start and rolling back Labour’s Child Trust Fund and Tax Credits, David Cameron’s Conservatives are demonstrating they haven’t changed.

“When families take a long, hard look at the Tories they can see that they have the wrong policies for children and the wrong priorities for our country. But with Labour’s future fair for all, every child is guaranteed a Sure Start in life.”

Clive Betts MP (Sheffield Attercliffe) said: “This is the second large public meeting at which local people have unanimously rejected the Liberal Democrats’ proposals to force through – without any consultation – the sale of playing fields in order to build offices at Crystal Peaks. When are they going to get the message?

“We now need rapid reconsideration of the plan to build offices and to move the bus station. The playing fields at Crystal Peaks have been used for over fifty years for sport and recreation. There are plenty of other suitable locations for offices and the existing bus station could easily be refurbished.

“Local people had to point out to Liberal Democrat councillors that the moving of the bus terminus would result in passengers – many of whom are elderly – having far further to walk to the central shopping area and that the buses which would have to have a reverse exit system would result in the alarms being heard by residents from the early hours of the morning till late at night. Both the planners and the transport officials agreed that this was the case.”

Clive Betts continued: “Sport England has written to me stating that the loss of playing fields would not be beneficial to an area that was already under provided for in facilities and confirming that their projections show an increasing demand on local playing facilities. Yet, the Liberal Democrat councillors seem completely ignorant of this.”

Finally, Clive Betts said: “I find it staggering that the local Liberal Democrat councillor – a member of the Cabinet which made the sell-off decision – is not standing up for local people on this issue.

“The Liberal Democrats should now ditch these plans. It is clear that they are simply trying to sell off assets. The council should now properly consider – in consultation with local people – what needs to happen to develop Crystal Peaks for the benefit of all.”

Children’s Secretary Ed Balls launched the campaign today as he welcomed the opening of the 3,500th Sure Start children’s centre for parents and children across England.

Families are invited to show how much they love their Sure Start centre at a new website www.saveoursurestart.com.

The Tories would cut Sure Start from families on middle and modest incomes. Instead of the universal service Labour has created for all families, the Tories have said they would cut £200 million each year from the Sure Start budget – which could see one in five children’s centres being forced to close.

Labour’s campaign is backed by ordinary families, children’s champions and celebrity mums, including Arabella Weir, Jo Brand and actress Michelle Collins. Michelle Collins, celebrity Labour supporter and former EastEnders star said:

“There’s nothing more important than giving all children the best possible start in life. That’s why Sure Start Children’s Centres were set up, they have made life easier for millions of families and it would be a major step backwards to cut them now. That’s why I’m encouraging everyone to sign up to www.saveoursurestart.com.”

Ed Balls MP, Labour’s Children’s Secretary said:

“I’m proud to be supporting families across England who are today campaigning to save their Sure Start children’s centre. These centres are now at the very heart of their local communities, providing essential services to parents and helping to give children the best possible start in life.

“In 1997, there were no Children’s Centres, but today there are 3,500. Labour created Sure Start and will continue investing in it as a universal service for all families with children under five.

“But by cutting Sure Start and rolling back Labour’s Child Trust Fund and Tax Credits, David Cameron’s Conservatives are demonstrating they haven’t changed.

“When families take a long, hard look at the Tories they can see that they have the wrong policies for children and the wrong priorities for our country. But with Labour’s future fair for all, every child is guaranteed a Sure Start in life.”

David Cameron has announced a raft of requirements for local councils to follow, including the publication of all individual items of public expenditure over £500, publish every procurement contract they sign and publish online the details of all local government staff pay packages over a threshold of around £60,000.

Responding to the proposals, Sir Jeremy Beecham, Labour’s Leader in Local Government, said “These proposals from David Cameron, the self-proclaimed champion of localism, are an unnecessary bureaucratic burden and an infringement of the privacy of thousands of public servants. Is he singling out local government as an easy political target? It’s surprising he’s not suggesting that every public body from schools to hospitals, colleges to universities should do the same, so that the details of every head teacher, GP or senior academic is also online, together with vast numbers of contracts, large and small.

“There’s nothing wrong with publishing details of the numbers of people in particular pay bands, but identifying individuals in this way is wrong. Cameron says it’s all about transparency. This is a bit rich coming from the Party Leader who’s been at pains to ignore the complete lack of transparency in relation to Lord Ashcroft’s status for years. Do the LGA Conservatives agree with these ridiculous proposals?”

Charlotte MacKenzie said: “Many people think Cornwall Council has got it’s waste strategy wrong. In 2005 local elections, my local Party called for more consultation before the Council issued a 30 year contract for Cornwall’s waste services. The incoming Liberal Democrat Council instead ploughed on with plans which included incineration as their preferred option, and contracted with SITA.

“The unitary authority brought together waste collection (previously a District responsibility) and waste disposal (previously a County responsibility). Despite the existing contracts, this should be an opportunity to develop a new waste strategy that works much better for local communities and Cornwall’s environment. Many people are disappointed that instead the Tory-dominated Council decided to continue the existing contract with SITA.

“In Truro and Falmouth constituency there is no household amenity site for 40,000 households. There are plans to provide a site like this on the outskirts of Falmouth, and I hope that calls for this much needed facility in Truro will also be listened to and provided at a suitable convenient location. The fact is that four out of ten households in this constituency don’t make use of the kerbside recycling collections. There needs to be much more positive support persuading people to start recycling through the existing collections services paid for by council tax, or a fresh approach that leads people to recycle more.”

“The SITA planning appeal hearing opens on Tuesday 16 March. Truro and Falmouth Labour Party made local views known through the earlier consultations by calling for a decentralised waste strategy which reduced the need for transportation. This would mean lower carbon emissions; more re-use and recycling; and using newer, greener technologies at several locations across Cornwall to generate energy from waste.

“Cornwall Council say they are developing a ‘green Cornwall’ strategy. They are taking steps to meet reduction targets for the Council’s own carbon emissions and backing some more sustainable transport initiatives. But it isn’t clear that simply disposing of Council owned buildings with higher emissions, or failing to rethink Cornwall’s centralised waste plan, will lead to the lower carbon Cornwall many people want to see.”

The Prime Minister’s prime time talk was viewed by more than 4 million, despite being criticised by some for concentrating on the personal rather than political side of Mr Brown.

David Cameron last night hit back with a similar interview, but failed to even get close to the PM’s viewers. Just 1.7 million bothered to watch the show.

The Tory leader’s error is that viewers have decided that they know enough about David Cameron, the man, but not enough about what he stands for. Gordon Brown however has a history of being guarded about his personal life and viewers were eager to learn more about him as a husband and father, as well as leader of the country.

The Media Guardian has more.