 The Labour party conference in Manchester on 21 – 24 September occurred days after the Scottish referendum result . Miliband 's conference speech was criticised , particularly after he missed sections on the deficit and immigration , after attempting to deliver the speech without notes . At the conference , Miliband pledged to focus on six national goals for Britain until 2025 , including boosting pay , apprenticeships and housing ; a mansion tax and levy on tobacco companies to fund £ 2 @.@ 5 billion a year ' time to care ' fund for the NHS ; a commitment to raise the minimum wage to £ 8 or more by 2020 ; and a promise to lower the voting age to 16 ready for elections in 2016 . 
