ONE of Tony Blair's closest political allies will today outline his vision of the future for the New Labour project.

Speaking in Darlington, David Miliband, the South Shields MP and former head of the Downing Street policy unit, will argue that education must not be abandoned as the party's top priority, but green issues must also come to the fore.

He will tell the general committee of Darlington Labour Party: "Unless we find ways to live and work in a way consistent with the environment, we will all suffer.

"It will mean tough choices, but we have a responsibility to future generations to preserve the planet, and Labour must stand for the long-term decisions that will achieve environmental sustainability."

Health and crime are accepted as Labour's major concerns in the next couple of years, but this is the first time someone as influential as Mr Miliband, who wrote the party's last two General Election manifestos, has moved the environment so high up the political agenda.

Mr Miliband will also argue that more power should be given to local government "so that it once again becomes a vehicle for economic change", and that Labour must champion change in Europe.

"In the North-East we know the importance of trade to our economy," he will say.

But he will insist that education should still be Labour's enduring priority.

"As well as raising the floor, we need to build ladders to help people make better lives for themselves and their children," he will say.

"Education is my top priority because it allows children to develop their potential to the full - but we need lower and middle income children to be given the chances that their talents deserve."

Mr Blair appointed Mr Miliband to lead his policy unit in 1994. He remained in the post until winning the South Shields seat at last year's General Election.