Ed Miliband to focus on 'spirit of optimism' during campaign

Ed Miliband will launch Labour's election campaign with a vow that it will be driven by "a spirit of optimism" in a speech to activists.

Just hours after making his pitch to the electorate in the first of several live TV election programmes, the Labour leader is expected to unveil a policy focused on the NHS.

In a speech in London's Olympic Park, he will compare one of the most closely-contested general elections for decades to "neck and neck" races at the 2012 games that "go to the wire".

On a raft of issues such as wages, zero-hour contracts, tax and public services, the Government told people "this is as good as it gets", he will say.

"Like so many races here during the Olympics, it will go to the wire. Neck and neck", Mr Miliband will claim.

He will add: "That Tory vision that says Britain succeeds when only a few at the top do well, with tax cuts for the very wealthiest and public services cut back to the very bone.

"Or a Labour vision based on the idea that Britain only succeeds when working people succeed" .