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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Leaders face last Commons clash | Leaders face last Commons clash |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The party leaders will clash on Wednesday for the last time in Parliament before the general election. | The party leaders will clash on Wednesday for the last time in Parliament before the general election. |
| Gordon Brown will face Tory and Lib Dem leaders, David Cameron and Nick Clegg, at prime minister's questions a day after naming 6 May as the poll date. | Gordon Brown will face Tory and Lib Dem leaders, David Cameron and Nick Clegg, at prime minister's questions a day after naming 6 May as the poll date. |
| It is understood that Mr Brown will also pledge to hold referendums on voting and Lords reform if re-elected. | It is understood that Mr Brown will also pledge to hold referendums on voting and Lords reform if re-elected. |
| Mr Cameron says the Tories will shake up Parliament but the Lib Dems say only they can be trusted to bring change. | Mr Cameron says the Tories will shake up Parliament but the Lib Dems say only they can be trusted to bring change. |
| Public anger over the Westminster expenses scandal and allegations over political lobbying have forced all the parties to back plans to make Parliament more open and accountable. | Public anger over the Westminster expenses scandal and allegations over political lobbying have forced all the parties to back plans to make Parliament more open and accountable. |
| The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said the expenses backlash would play a role in the election but it was not clear how it would manifest itself. | The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said the expenses backlash would play a role in the election but it was not clear how it would manifest itself. |
| 'Mandate sought' | 'Mandate sought' |
| After calling the election on Tuesday, Gordon Brown and the other party leaders hit the campaign trail in different parts of the country. | After calling the election on Tuesday, Gordon Brown and the other party leaders hit the campaign trail in different parts of the country. |
| The prime minister has said he will be seeking a "clear" mandate to continue the economic recovery as Labour bids for a fourth term. | The prime minister has said he will be seeking a "clear" mandate to continue the economic recovery as Labour bids for a fourth term. |
| Mr Cameron, whose party is ahead in the polls, has said he offers "hope" and a "fresh start" while Mr Clegg has insisted the contest is not a "two-horse" race and only the Lib Dems can offer real change. | Mr Cameron, whose party is ahead in the polls, has said he offers "hope" and a "fresh start" while Mr Clegg has insisted the contest is not a "two-horse" race and only the Lib Dems can offer real change. |
| The SNP and Plaid Cymru have said they will work together in the event of a hung Parliament to secure the best deals for Scotland and Wales. | The SNP and Plaid Cymru have said they will work together in the event of a hung Parliament to secure the best deals for Scotland and Wales. |
| The focus will briefly return to Parliament on Wednesday as the three men take part in the last prime minister's questions of the parliamentary session - which will end when Parliament is dissolved on 12 April. | The focus will briefly return to Parliament on Wednesday as the three men take part in the last prime minister's questions of the parliamentary session - which will end when Parliament is dissolved on 12 April. |
| In the campaign you will hear a lot about political reform Nick Clegg Election-at-a-glance: 7 April class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8590155.stm">LIVE: Text and video coverage | |
| Each will be looking to build up momentum for the four-week campaign ahead and to try and score early points before the launch of the parties' manifestos next week. | Each will be looking to build up momentum for the four-week campaign ahead and to try and score early points before the launch of the parties' manifestos next week. |
| After PMQs, Mr Cameron is expected to campaign in the North West of England and Wales while Mr Clegg is also expected to visit the North West. | After PMQs, Mr Cameron is expected to campaign in the North West of England and Wales while Mr Clegg is also expected to visit the North West. |
| The prime minister is expected to use a speech on Wednesday to emphasise Labour's commitment to far-reaching political reforms in the aftermath of the expenses row. | The prime minister is expected to use a speech on Wednesday to emphasise Labour's commitment to far-reaching political reforms in the aftermath of the expenses row. |
| Party sources have suggested that he will pledge to hold simultaneous referenda on plans to change Westminster's traditional first-past-the-post electoral system and to elect the House of Lords. | Party sources have suggested that he will pledge to hold simultaneous referenda on plans to change Westminster's traditional first-past-the-post electoral system and to elect the House of Lords. |
| Mr Brown has already endorsed plans for a referendum on the Alternative Vote (AV) system, in which voters rank candidates in order of preference with the votes of the least popular candidates being redistributed until someone secures more than 50% of votes. | Mr Brown has already endorsed plans for a referendum on the Alternative Vote (AV) system, in which voters rank candidates in order of preference with the votes of the least popular candidates being redistributed until someone secures more than 50% of votes. |
| The Conservatives oppose the plan and ministers were forced to drop the referendum commitment from a bill currently before Parliament. | The Conservatives oppose the plan and ministers were forced to drop the referendum commitment from a bill currently before Parliament. |
| Labour has been committed to an elected House of Lords since 1997 and opponents say that it has been slow to make progress - a claim refuted by ministers who say there is now a broad consensus for change. | Labour has been committed to an elected House of Lords since 1997 and opponents say that it has been slow to make progress - a claim refuted by ministers who say there is now a broad consensus for change. |
| Labour sources have suggested its manifesto will include radical plans for the Lords although it is reported there are opposing views in cabinet about whether it should be fully elected or elected on an 80:20 basis. | Labour sources have suggested its manifesto will include radical plans for the Lords although it is reported there are opposing views in cabinet about whether it should be fully elected or elected on an 80:20 basis. |
| Mr Brown is also due to take part in what is being called a "people's PMQs", in which he will answer questions from the public via internet sites. | Mr Brown is also due to take part in what is being called a "people's PMQs", in which he will answer questions from the public via internet sites. |
| 'Smokescreen' | 'Smokescreen' |
| Mr Clegg will say on Wednesday that neither of the other two parties are truly committed to handing more power to the people. | Mr Clegg will say on Wednesday that neither of the other two parties are truly committed to handing more power to the people. |
| "In the campaign you will hear a lot about political reform," he will say. "David Cameron will talk about cutting the cost of politics. Gordon Brown will talk about reforming the Lords. | "In the campaign you will hear a lot about political reform," he will say. "David Cameron will talk about cutting the cost of politics. Gordon Brown will talk about reforming the Lords. |
| "Their words are a smokescreen for the truth. Both of them would do anything to protect the corrupt two-party stitch-up and secrecy at Westminster." | "Their words are a smokescreen for the truth. Both of them would do anything to protect the corrupt two-party stitch-up and secrecy at Westminster." |
| The Conservatives have called for a reduction in the number of MPs and ministers as part of plans to renew public trust in Parliament. | The Conservatives have called for a reduction in the number of MPs and ministers as part of plans to renew public trust in Parliament. |
| MPs have until close of business on Thursday to get remaining legislation, that the parties can agree on, through before the dissolution of Parliament - a process known as the "wash-up". | MPs have until close of business on Thursday to get remaining legislation, that the parties can agree on, through before the dissolution of Parliament - a process known as the "wash-up". |
| Ministers have already made a host of concessions to get legislation through including scrapping a 10% tax rise on cider announced in the Budget and a 50p charge on phone bills to pay for broadband roll-out. | Ministers have already made a host of concessions to get legislation through including scrapping a 10% tax rise on cider announced in the Budget and a 50p charge on phone bills to pay for broadband roll-out. |