Election News Archive

Brown and Cameron step up pressure on Lib Dems

David Cameron has said the Conservatives need a "decisive" victory on May 6 in order to keep Labour out of power.

Top Ten: Celebrity endorsers

So far in the campaign David Cameron has been accompanied by Sir Michael Caine and Garry Barlow , the age of celebrity endorsement of the political parties remains very much with us.

Liberal Democrats capitalise on debate success

As party leaders hit the campaign trail this morning they were greeted with a poll showing the Liberal Democrats had jumped into second place behind the Conservatives.

Come join the daffodil democrats

Fine weather tempers the anti-parliamentary tone on the streets of South Manchester for Graham Brady, who is also tempted to adopt ‘roundabout gardening’ as a campaign theme.

Shouting from the tree tops

Peter Ainsworth took a late decision to stand down as an MP, after judging that he could be a more effective advocate for the environment and culture outside Parliament.

Polls becalmed

Professor Paul Whiteley discusses how the parties are faring in the opinion polls.

How do the voters feel?

Professor Paul Whiteley looks at voter attitudes towards Labour and the Conservatives.

Leaders clash in historic debate

Gordon Brown and David Cameron have clashed over spending cuts, tax and political reform in the first prime ministerial TV debate in the UK.

Austerity is not the best way out of recession

The bond markets want prudent behaviour in the good times, not vicious austerity regardless of the economic weather.

Monster Raving Loony Party - the manifesto

One of Britain's best-loved political parties has made a series of eye-catching proposals in their manifesto.

Green Party manifesto: key points

The Green Party general election manifesto, launched in Brighton, focuses on the environment, the economy and fairness, calling for a 'Green New Deal'.

'The future government should not overlook the retail sector'

ePolitix.com speaks to Stephen Robertson, director general of the British Retail Consortium

SDLP outlines shared future for Northern Ireland

The SDLP launched its election manifesto in Belfast today, promising a strong economy and society.

Lucas calls for 'Green New Deal'

The Green Party is has called for a "Green New Deal" to tackle the duel challenge of climate change and the economic slump.

Tories ahead in key marginal seats

The Conservatives appear to be on course to win the battle for marginal constituencies as a new poll revealed they were ahead in 100 key seats.

No cheering, no booing and please remember to shake hands

David Cameron has raised concerns that the strict rules that will govern tonight's leaders debate will render the event "slow and sluggish", so what are the rules?

Party leaders prepare for first election debate

Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg will take part in the first ever televised debate between party leaders in a UK general election tonight.

Top Ten: TV election gaffes

This evening Brown, Cameron and Clegg will take part in the first ever televised party leaders' debates in the UK.

Westminster without MPs 'like a ghost palace'

They say the Palace of Westminster is haunted. Walk its corridors now, when they are free of MPs and many of their staff, and you could easily believe it.

Labour attacks Tories on gay rights

The foreign secretary has appeared with two former Conservative party members who claim to have left the party over its attitude to gay rights.

Lib Dem manifesto: key points

The Liberal Democrat general election manifesto, launched in the City of London, is built around "four steps to a fairer Britain".

Hague rejects 'nation of Hyacinth Buckets'

The shadow foreign secretary has denied that Tory plans to allow people to set up their own schools would create 'a nation of Hyacinth Buckets'.

Speech in full: Nick Clegg

The full text of Nick Clegg’s speech launching the Liberal Democrat manifesto

Lib Dems manifesto pledges fairness

The Liberal Democrats have pledged to "hard wire fairness" into British society through reform of the tax system.

Cameron looking down 'his long toffee nose' at the regions

David Cameron is guilty of ignoring the needs of the country beyond the capital, according to Lord Mandelson.

Lib Dem team to unveil election manifesto

The Liberal Democrat leader and his deputy Vince Cable will launch their manifesto this morning.

Tories pledge radical parliamentary reform

The Conservative party has said that if elected it will reform the House of Lords and reduce the number of MPs.

Shadow ministers ask voters to join the government

Members of the Conservative party's shadow team have told voters "if we are elected on May 6, you will be in power on May 7".

Tory manifesto 'style over substance'

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said the Conservative manifesto had been launched in a power station that "no longer generates power. It's style over substance".

Lib Dems plan 'equity economy'

The Liberal Democrats have launched a five-point plan to deal with the excesses of bankers bonuses.

David Cameron: speech in full

Full text of David Cameron's speech at the launch of the Conservative Party manifesto this morning.

Conservative election manifesto: key points

Following the publication of the Conservative Party manifesto this morning we have picked out some of the key pledges.

Cameron declares 'we are the people'

The Conservatives can make things better without spending any more money, David Cameron said today.

Plaid to support the 'have nots'

Plaid Cymru have launched its election manifesto with the promise to stand up for the "have nots" rather than "haves".

Plaid set out top seven priorities

Today Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones, Wales's deputy first minister unveiled the Plaid Cymru manifesto for the general election.

UKIP launches manifesto

Britain should be "out of the EU but back in the world", according to the UK Independence Party.

Tories to unveil election pitch to voters

The Conservatives will launch their manifesto this morning, with David Cameron seeking to encourage the public to get more involved in running their country.

Queen's Speech scheduled for May 25

Downing Street has confirmed the date of the State Opening and the Queen's speech, as Parliament was dissolved today ahead of the general election.

Bashing banks won't fix the economy

Demonising bankers will not pull Britain out of the economic slump.

Labour's election pitch 'lacks ambition'

The Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties have both attacked the Labour manifesto.

Health and police among key manifesto pledges

Today prime minister Gordon Brown unveiled the Labour party manifesto for the general election.

Brown launches Labour manifesto

Gordon Brown today unveiled Labour's manifesto ahead of the May 6 general election, describing it as having the "great and common purpose of national renewal".

Speech in full: Gordon Brown

Gordon Brown's speech at the launch of Labour's 2010 general election manifesto in Birmingham.

SNP attack election 'phoney war'

The Scottish National Party's leader has accused Labour and the Conservatives of fighting a "phoney war".

Lib Dems propose income tax reform

The Liberal Democrats will raise the income tax threshold to £10,000 if they win power at the election.

Why this election is impossible to predict

May 6 had been pencilled in on the calendars of most political enthusiasts as the general election date ever since Gordon Brown became prime minister.

Labour to set out its election pledges

The Labour party is set to release its general election manifesto later today.

Royal proclamation ends the 'rotten Parliament'

The most discredited parliament of modern times will finally end today with dissolution.

Salmond mourns Westminster's 'extraordinary decline'

A departing MP has said the House of Commons has declined "in an extraordinary fashion over the last two decades".

No new spending plans for Labour

Labour's election co-ordinator Ed Miliband has said that if re-elected they will not make any "big spending commitments".

Tories must win the campaign to take power

Prof Paul Whiteley considers how much of a difference the election campaign is likely to make to the outcome.

Millions of voters missing at this election

It goes right to the heart of our democratic process. It's a scandal in its own right. Voter registration.

General election focus: the North East

The Newcastle Journal's political editor William Green looks at how the North East could hold the key to the election result.

General election focus: Wales

Tomos Livingstone, political editor of The Western Mail, considers the 2010 general election in Wales.

Bland leaders' debates or car crash TV?

Televised leader debates in Britain? First thought, from my brain: please, no, don't go there.

Mischief during detention

Eager to get out on the stump, Austin Mitchell is enlisted for washing-up chores – but gets his revenge by harrying ministers on ports revaluation and voting against the Digital Economy Bill.

Leaving before the end

With ill-health precipitating an early retirement from Westminster, Ian McCartney tells Sam Macrory of his regrets at unfinished business – but also his satisfaction at social crusades won.

A lesson from the 60s?

Chris Moncrieff offers his take on the world of Westminster.

Parliament prorogued ahead of election

The Commons and Lords have passed remaining Bills as the Parliamentary session ends with prorogation.

Adonis appeals to Lib Dem voters

Brown and Cameron 'snub' Newsnight

Brown defends 'love of his life' Sarah's campaigning

Last day in Commons for departing MPs

Parliament closes today for the general election campaign, with many MPs saying their final farewell to the House of Commons.

Clegg accused of hypocrisy over party donations

Focus on reforming 'rotten Parliament'

The three main parties have used the first full day of campaigning to lay out plans for the reform of Parliament.