Election News Archive

Brown not answering questions, claims Cameron

David Cameron has clashed with Gordon Brown over the release of government documents at prime minister's questions today.

Election timetable

Our election timetable and calendar, based on the assumption that polling day will be May 6.

Former lobby journalist chosen as Labour candidate

A former GMTV political editor has been chosen to run for parliament in the safe Labour seat being vacated by former defence secretary Geoff Hoon.

Hung parliament a 'real opportunity' for Scotland

A parliament "balanced on Scottish and Welsh votes" could mean concessions to the nationalist parties, Alex Salmond has said.

Salmond attacks Tory and Labour 'phoney war'

The leader of the Scottish National Party has said the people of Scotland will be heard at the next election.

SNP claim 'seismic shift' since 2005

The Scottish National Party has said new research shows that voters have backed them "in increasing numbers" since the 2005 election.

Science in the service of society

Having become active in the Conservatives from his early teens, then worked as a teacher, in the pensions industry and as a political aide, Nick Hillman is now energised by the hi-tech buzz of his target seat of Cambridge.

Recess dates point to May 6 election

In the clearest indication yet that the election will be held on May 6, Harriet Harman has revealed MPs will rise for the Easter recess on Tuesday 30 March, returning on Tuesday 6 April.

Tory 'plot' to stop Ransen

BBC drops Ashcroft Panorama after legal threat

Tea with Gordon

Tory election campaign 'too complicated'

Labour's union links examined

Labour's financial links with the Unite union will come under further scrutiny today, as the Conservative Party seek to hammer home the idea that the government is "in hock" to the country's largest union.

Adonis challenged over Unite donations

The transport secretary has rejected Tory demands that Labour stop taking donations from the trade union Unite.

MP to quit ultra-marginal seat

Labour MP Laura Moffatt has announced she is standing down at the general election.

Labour to offer five 'guarantees' to voters

Lib Dems can 'lead next government'

Lib Dems will 'guarantee good sense'

The Liberal Democrats are the "guarantor that no risks will be taken with Britain’s financial position," the party's leader said today.

Nick Clegg: speech in full

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg's address to his party's spring conference in Birmingham.

Danny Alexander: speech in full

The Lib Dem election co-ordinator set out the four themes of the party's campaign in an address to the spring conference.

Election 'still wide open' says Clegg

The leader of the Liberal Democrats has told his party activists to "get out there and go for broke".

Lib Dems gather in Birmingham

The Liberal Democrats are holding their pre-election spring conference in Birmingham this weekend.

Clegg warned over any deal with Tories

Fisher becomes 145th MP to stand down

A former arts minister is the latest Labour MP to announce he is to stand down.

Opening up government data 'will deliver £6bn boost'

Conservative plans to open up government data and spending information will create "£6 billion in additional value" for the UK, the party has said.

TV debates 'ignore three UK nations'

The leaders of the nationalist parties have complained that they have not been asked to take part in the election campaign TV debates.

Will 2010 really be an internet election?

Will the coming general election be the first where the parties will harness the power of the internet, as many commentators have predicted?

Afghan media 'blackout' during election campaign

Reporters are to be banned from the Afghan front line once a date for the election has been set, it has been confirmed.

Brown before Iraq inquiry

Gordon Brown and international development secretary Douglas Alexander appear before the Iraq inquiry today.

Tories cleared over Ashcroft's £5m donations

The electoral commission has said the Conservative party did not break the law in accepting £5m of donations from a company owned by Lord Ashcroft.

Labour MPs line up to condemn Lord Ashcroft

Mr Speaker had a busy time during today's business questions as Labour MPs vented their anger at what one called "Ashcroft-gate".

TV not Twitter will swing this election

While the parties can control the structure of the TV debates, they won’t be able stop them being clipped after the initial broadcast for maximum political effect. Any slip-ups will be repeated endlessly on computer screens around the country.

Cameron to face Sir Trevor McDonald

Harman: Country 'misled' over Lord Ashcroft

Harriet Harman has accused the Conservative Party of misleading the country over the tax status of their vice-chairman and major donor, Lord Ashcroft.

Election debates given go-ahead

Details of the live 90-minute prime ministerial election debates due to take place on ITV, the BBC, and Sky News have been revealed.

Polls deliver mixed picture for Cameron

Two polls published today suggest that Britain is still on course for a hung Parliament.

Polls still suggest hung Parliament

Two polls published today suggest that Britain is still on course for a hung Parliament.

House publishes dissolution guidance

The House of Commons authorities have set out the arrangements which will be in place during the period when parliament is dissolved.

Papers react to Cameron's speech

Cameron rallies troops amid narrowing polls

David Cameron told his party gathered in Brighton at the weekend that it was the Conservative's "patriotic duty" to win the election.

Speech in full: Eric Pickles

Conservative chairman Eric Pickles' speech to the party's spring conference in Brighton.

Border security needs 'fundamental review'

Shadow security minister Pauline Neville-Jones has said the home office terrorist watch list needs "substantial reform".

Speech in full: George Osborne

Shadow chancellor George Osborne's speech to the Tory spring conference in Brighton.

Cameron ready for 'real fight' at election

The leader of the Conservative party has said Britain has a clear choice between him or the "incredible dark depression" of five more years of Gordon Brown.

Conservatives 'on brink of history'

Gordon Brown has single handedly destroyed the country and left a legacy of "neglect and cynicism", Eric Pickles has said.

Tories launch iPhone app

The Conservative party has launched its latest election tool – an iPhone application.

Election choice between change or ruin

William Hague has told the Tory spring conference in Brighton that the country faces a stark choice at the election: change or ruin.

Villiers: Stop hectoring voters over climate change

The government should make it easier for people to choose low carbon transport options instead of hectoring them, the shadow transport secretary has said.

Hung parliament unlikely claims Tory PPC

A Conservative parliamentary candidate has said the party is "comfortably ahead" in the 117 seats it needs to win to avoid a hung parliament.

Markets fear Labour victory, says Osborne

Britain has only held onto its international financial reputation because world markets expect a Conservative victory at the general election, George Osborne has said.

Why size matters

Sam Macrory says a narrow victory could be a poisoned chalice for David Cameron.

Tories gather in Brighton for pre-election conference

All eyes will be on David Cameron this weekend as he addresses the Conservative party's spring conference.

Good headwind, good helmsman

The polls may be wobbly and the press not entirely on board, but Tim Montgomerie is confident that David Cameron and his team will deliver the best Tory campaign possible.

Housing plans in focus

Key policy points from the three main parties on housing.

Work focus for welfare

Key policy points from the three main parties on work and welfare.

A last-minute Lazarus?

Lance Price, writer, broadcaster and former media adviser to Tony Blair, on how Labour is approaching its toughest election for decades

Every hope of a hold

Carlisle could be third time lucky for seasoned Labour candidate Michael Boaden.

Embarrassed for all eternity

Uploaded video technology has changed campaigning in the US – and it could have a decisive impact here too, says Justin Webb

Power’s never been this propitious

With a streamlined manifesto, a firm line on coalitions, and equal billing in TV debates, the Lib Dems are well placed for an election breakthrough, says Olly Grender.

Profiting from the plague

Whilst the spotlight will shine on the three main parties at Westminster, some fascinating election battles are brewing among the minor parties and independents, writes Tony Grew.

Mood music or major chord?

Opinion polls are an established factor of election campaigns, but how much store do party leaders and strategists set by them? Sam Macrory investigates.

Boosting business

Key policy points from the three main parties on the economy and business.

An aid to foreign policy

Key policy points from the three main parties on foreign affairs and defence.

Focus on crime and punnishment

Key policy points from the three main parties on home affairs.

A lesson in education

Key policy points from the three main parties on education.