ED Miliband takes a leaf out of American politics today when he insists in his New Year message that Britain has a chance to seize new possibilities, change direction and achieve an economic recovery that "reaches your kitchen table".

Kitchen table politics - the idea of ordinary families discussing bread and butter issues - is a US staple and one which was pursued by Barack Obama in his bid to reach the White House; David Axelrod, the US President's key aide, is now advising the Labour leader on his General Election campaign.

Indeed, in his message for 2015, Mr Miliband also echoes Mr Obama in other phrases, saying: "This is a moment of possibility for Britain. We have it within our grasp not just to see out the old year but to see out the old ways of running the country. Can we do it? Of course we can."

In his successful president campaign, the Democrat candidate's stock phrase was "Yes we can".

The Labour leader also notes how the challenge of change is great but insists: "I am with you."

Mr Obama used the same phrase in speeches in 2010 to those recovering from the oil spill in the Gulf Coast and in 2011 in a message to the pro-democracy movement in Iran to mark the Persian New Year.

With just over five months to polling day, Mr Miliband in his message insists 2015 offers Britain the chance of a new beginning.

He says that all over the country people are working harder just to stand still with families struggling to pay bills, youngsters taking on debt to get a decent education and the NHS under pressure with people waiting longer to get the care they need.

Declaring that it does not have to be this way, the Labour leader notes: "This year, we have the power to bring about the change working families all over Britain need. This isn't about idle dreams or empty promises. It's about a real, concrete plan: a plan for a recovery which reaches your kitchen table."

Mr Miliband notes how this year is the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, and that if past generations "could walk through those fires" to rebuild a nation, then surely we can also meet the challenges of our times.

He adds: "We can build a country that works for everyday people. Change is possible if we reach for it. If you are one of the millions of people who think Britain can do a lot better, I am with you. I am with you and this year, together, we can bring about the change we need."