As the season of good will gets into swing, Liberal Democrat Voice marks the occasion with an interactive advent calendar detailing the true nature of Labour's "Christmas cheer".

Unsurprisingly, the lost data debacle and the issue of illicit donations to the Labour Party feature prominently, with Lib Dem favourite Northern Rock thrown in for good measure.

More surprising were the results of a Sky News poll for the leadership race which, claimed the Chris Huhne campaign, confirmed a surge of support for the environment spokesman.

Paul Walter on Liberal Burblings pointed out that 44 per cent of Lib Dem voters were now "definitely" backing Huhne.

And although the survey found that Nick Clegg was still ahead with 56 per cent, it showed that, with 24 per cent still undecided, Huhne still stood a fighting chance. A comprehensive breakdown of the statistics can be found here.

It is widely accepted that the next Ming will be decided on voter appeal - and despite what was called a lacklustre appearance on the Today programme, Clegg is still leading the race on that front. Some 53 per cent of those polled said the home affairs spokesman had significantly more voter appeal, with only nine per cent opting for his competitor.

However, according to self proclaimed Cleggite James Graham, the Today programme made for "pretty uncomfortable listening", and Clegg comes across as "dramatically weaker" than Huhne in the broadcast media.

Some bloggers have pondered the implications of the latest donor scandal for the third party, which has undoubtedly provided Vince Cable with an opportunity to shine. Indeed, the acting Lib Dem leader came top of Iain Dale's political performance league table.

Harriet Harman was last, scoring an average of 1.76 out of 10, with Gordon Brown coming third from the bottom with a rating of 2.45.

However, this week's PMQs suggest that things could be looking up for the prime minister.

Fraser Nelson in the Spectator's Coffee House claims that Brown "finally wins a round". A less complimentary post comes from Dizzy, while Tim Montgomerie on ConservativeHome wonders why - given an apparently open goal - the Tories are not performing better.

Despite an apparent reprieve at prime minister's questions, most of the blogs continue with their coverage of the ongoing Labour donations row. News that the money would be returned not to the original 'donor' but to the Treasury provides the government with a "win-win situation", claims Dizzy.

Guido, meanwhile, draws comparisons between Labour's deputy leader and the wife of the re-appeared canoeist - both of whom used the "Harman defence" in claiming to have unlawfully obtained money "in good faith".

Not the only parallel between the missing canoeist and the government this week. Attacking Brown's record as chancellor at PMQs, Cameron quipped: "Like the man in the canoe he wants us all to believe he hasn't been around for the last five years."

Scottish Tory Boy focuses on the revelation that Scottish Labour leader Wendy Alexander had accepted illegal funds, and claims that her career is unwinding as a result. Politicalbetting says that the sources of information about her campaign finances must be inside Scottish Labour, while 1820 ponders on a potential successor for Alexander, putting forward Tom McCabe or Jackie Baillie as favourites.

Elsewhere, controversial proposals to increase the amount of time police can hold terror suspects without charge receive wide coverage. Nick Robinson suggests that the "surprise" nature of the announcement could - along with jail plans and cancer strategies - have been an attempt to detract attention from Labour's funding scandal.

Paul Linford says the widespread opposition to the moves shows that the Tories are more in touch with the public mood, while Sunny Hundal's Liberal Conspiracy has created a Facebook group opposing any extension to the current 28-day limit.

Many question where the 42-day figure came from, and others warn that an attack on civil liberties could lose Labour its liberal voters.

Another issue which could alienate Labour traditionalists is the row over public sector pay, which saw DWP workers stage a 48-hour walk-out. The Telegraph's Three Line Whip blog condemns the "totally insane" decision over police pay, while PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said the move "adds insult to injury".