LONDON, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister and Labor Party leader Gordon Brown said Saturday that Labour is targeting middle class voters in the next general election.

    Speaking at the leading centre-left think-tank Fabian Society in London, Brown said Labour will create more middle income jobs than ever before and protect them from Conservative cuts.

    In his speech, Brown promised "a New Labour program for the new decade," saying that a future Labour government would help people get jobs through education. The target, he said, is to provide university or technical college education for 75 percent of people aged under 30.

    He said: "A fair society is one where everyone who works hard and plays by the rules has a chance to fulfil their dreams whether that's owning a bigger house, taking a holiday abroad, buying a new car or starting a small business.

    "And this is the next project for New Labour, our next generation project... The coming decade will provide Britain with more middle class jobs than ever before."

    The Conservatives have announced that they would start cutting back on state spending immediately after taking office if the party takes power at the election.

    Brown said: "the Tories have planned a raid on the quality of life of our middle class. They want to take away middle class guarantees. And they have no account of future middle class jobs.

    "It is only Labour that offers a manifesto for the middle - only Labour that owns the progressive center ground," he added.

    Local media reported that the Tories have extended their lead over Labour in the wake of the failed attempt by former Cabinet ministers to oust Gordon Brown.

    The latest poll put Labour on 28 percent, down two percentage points on last month and 13 points behind the Conservatives, who were up three points to 41 percent.