Taxation, education, health and immigration are some of the policy areas that have emerged as key battlegrounds in this election. Read the full texts of manifestos for the main political parties below.

The Labour Party put the economy, health and education at the heart of its manifesto for a historic third term in government. It laid out plans to extend the public service reforms introduced in the first two terms, making the Labour legacy irreversible. Click here for full manifesto

Michael Howard launched the Conservative Party “Battle for Britain” by accusing Labour of eight years of “broken promises”. The 28-page document pledged more police, cleaner hospitals, lower taxes, school discipline, controlled immigration, and accountability. Click here for full manifesto

Returning to the campaign trail after the birth of his first child, Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy targeted voters disillusioned with Labour. The manifesto -“The real alternative” - has a fairer taxation system, opposition to the Iraq war and the protection of civil liberties at its heart. Click here for full manifesto

Hopeful of getting its first member of parliament, the Green Party promised a radical shake-up of the taxation system if it is elected. The party pledged to scrap value added tax, employers’ national insurance contributions and council tax as well as putting the environment at the heart of policy making. Click here for full manifesto

Back at the helm of the Scottish National Party, Alex Salmond launched his party’s manifesto with a characteristic promise to improve lives for Scottish voters. The party put job creation for young people at the centre of its plans to halt the movement of young people south. Click here for full manifesto

Plaid Cymru launched its manifesto with a headline grabbing commitment to raise income tax to 50 per cent on earnings of more than £50,000. It also pledged to scrap council tax and replace it with a local income tax and ban junk food adverts on television. Click here for full manifesto

Fresh from its parting with Robert Kilroy-Silk, the UK Independence Party is trying to recapture the success of last year’s European elections. Claiming it is the only party with a credible immigration policy, Ukip is also pushing for the UK’s withdrawal from Europe. Click here for full manifesto