BRITAIN must get back to "living within its means," David Cameron will insist today as he warns voters that a Labour victory on May 7 would put the country on the path to ruin.

Giving a keynote speech in the Midlands, the Prime Minister will make clear that the choice at the forthcoming General Election is not just one that will affect this generation but the next ones too.

Mr Cameron will again offer up the choice between competence with the Conservatives and chaos with Labour but he will also insist the battle ahead is not just one about straightforward economic arguments.

"It is about the values of this country. Whether we as a nation are going to pass on a mountain of debt to the next generations that they could never hope to re-pay."

He will say: "To every mother, father, grandparent, uncle, aunt, I would ask this question: when you look at the children you love, do you want to land them with a legacy of huge debts? Do you want to limit their future; to make life more difficult for their generation because we refuse to do the right thing in our generation?

"I say we have a responsibility to act. We can get Britain back to living within our means in a way that is fair and sensible and secure," the Tory leader will argue.

The speech represents the launch of the first of six themes at the heart of a Conservative manifesto, which is dealing with the deficit. Over the coming weeks, he will focus on the other themes, covering jobs, taxes, education, housing and retirement.

This morning, Mr Cameron will commit to a future Tory government:

*running a surplus so the country starts paying down its debts and securing the economy;

*reducing spending and cutting out waste instead of increasing taxes on working people;

*controlling the welfare budget so money can be saved and work rewarded;

*cracking down on tax avoidance and ensuring those who can afford to pay the most do and

*continuing to increase NHS spending so everyone gets the care they need.

"It's election year and the choice is clear: staying on the road to recovery or choosing the path to ruin; competence or chaos," the PM will say.

The Tory leader will claim that all the other parties have to offer is confusion: uncosted plans; the spectre of more debt; the shadow of more taxes on people's families, homes and businesses.

"With the Conservatives, you get the opposite: a strong and competent team; a proven record and a long-term economic plan that is turning our country around. The goal of that plan can be summed up in a sentence: securing a better future for you, your family and Britain."

Mr Cameron will say this means: for everyone who wants to work, the security of a job and a regular wage; for families, the financial security of lower taxes and keeping more of your own money; for parents, the security of knowing your children are getting a decent education; for young people, the security of having a home of your own, which has been denied to too many for too long and, for older people, real dignity and security for those in retirement.

"These are the things that are on the ballot paper in May," the PM will declare.

He will insist the basis on which all things rest is dealing with the deficit and the nation's debt.

"If we fail to meet this national challenge, the writing is on the wall," he will insist.

"More borrowing and all the extra debt interest that brings, meaning there is less money to spend on schools and hospitals and all the things we value as a country. More spending, and the higher taxes that will require - hardworking people thumped to pay for Government wastefulness. And higher interest rates too - punishing homeowners, hurting businesses, losing jobs.

"In short, economic chaos," he will add.

ENDS