The Conservatives will launch their manifesto this morning, with David Cameron seeking to encourage the public to get more involved in running their country.
Building on George Osborne's declaration at the last Tory party conference that "we’re all in this together" the 119-page plain blue hardback book is titled: "An invitation to join the government of Britain".
Among the pledges are plans to grant referendums on local issues if advocates can secure the support of five per cent of residents and the ability of voters to get rid of their MP mid-term through recall elections - both features of California politics where Tory strategist Steve Hilton lived for some time.
In the foreword to the manifesto, Cameron writes: "A country is at its best when the bonds between people are strong and when the sense of national purpose is clear. Today the challenges facing Britain are immense.
"Our economy is overwhelmed by debt, our social fabric is frayed and our political system has betrayed the people. But these problems can be overcome if we pull together and work together. If we remember that we are all in this together."
But Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband, who wrote the Labour manifesto, said that it was clear that the Tories had not changed under Cameron, who wrote the last Conservative manifesto in 2005.
"If David Cameron had really changed the Tory party, he would ditch the pledge from 10 years ago to cut inheritance tax for the wealthiest few," he said.
Last night the Tories highlighted the theme of public involvement by projecting the words "who is the new member of the Cameron's team?" onto the side of Battersea Power Station in London, the location for today's manifesto launch.
Today also sees the launch of the Plaid Cymru manifesto, with their leader Ieuan Wyn Jones expected to say that his party will fight for the needs of the Welsh people while the "London parties" fight over "middle Britain".
He will say the party will campaign on a platform that "reflects the conscience, values and priorities of the people of Wales".
Pledges expected to be included in their manifesto include negotiating for an increase in funding for Wales' devolved budget, the scrapping of ID cards, cancelling the replacement of the Trident nuclear weapons system and withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.
In an combative interview with Jeremy Paxman on the BBC's Newsnight programme last night, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said he had four “core priorities” that would affect his support of another party in a hung Parliament.
These were tax reform, extra funds for smaller class sizes and one-to-one tuition, splitting up the banks and reform of Westminster.
"For me that's not a pick and choose menu. That's a template of change," he added.
And in an emotional appearance on ITV, David Cameron revealed he considered quitting politics after the death his son Ivan last year.
Asked whether he considered "packing it all in", the Conservative leader said: "You do, it's just such a shock you can't really come to terms with it to start with.
"But, bit by bit, you start to think, 'Well, I need to get on with my life'”, he added. “And to me my life is politics, it's public service, it's what I do, it's being a Member of Parliament, it's wanting to make a difference. That's what I want to do."
After a week of campaigning a Guardian/ICM poll puts the Tory lead over Labour at just six points.
The survey put the Conservatives on 37 per cent, Labour on 31 per cent and the Liberal Democrats on 20 per cent.
According to the paper this would leave Labour as the largest party in a hung Parliament.
While a a ComRes poll for the Independent and ITV News put the Tories on 37 per cent, down two points since last week, Labour down two on 30 per cent and the Liberal Democrats up four on 20 per cent.
Today's daily YouGov/the Sun poll put the Conservatives on 39 per cent, Labour on 33 per cent and the Liberal Democrats on 20 per cent.
