Tony Blair will today outline his vision of a British "meritocracy" when he puts forwards his ideas for a third term of Labour government.

The party will publish its general election manifesto this morning. The document is expected to focus on creating opportunity for all.

A senior strategist tells the FT: "The manifesto will set out how we intend to accelerate changes to the economy and public services to embed irreversible progressive change.

"Labour will commit to the creation of a genuine meritocracy where we break down the barriers that hold people back."

Education and the economy will be at the top of the party's policy agenda, but the FT reports that the prime minister will maintain his "tough on crime" stance in a bid to counter the Conservatives.

The document is set to reintroduce curbs on trial by jury in complex fraud cases. The policy was dropped in a battle with the Lords in 2003, but its inclusion in the manifesto could see it forced through parliament in a third term.

The manifesto will also commit the government to fight for a "yes" vote in the referendum on the European constitution.

Meanwhile, interviewed in the Guardian, Labour's election co-ordinator Alan Milburn denies that he has been angered by Gordon Brown's prominence in the campaign.

"We always said the economy would be centre stage and Gordon is leading that effort on the economy for us," he said.