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Leaders face last Commons clash Leaders face last Commons clash
(about 1 hour later)
The party leaders will clash on Wednesday for the last time in Parliament before the general election. Party leaders will clash at prime minister's questions later, for the last time 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 before hitting the campaign trail.
It is understood that Mr Brown will also pledge to hold referendums on voting and Lords reform if re-elected. And parties will continue horse trading over remaining bills which must clear Parliament in the next two days.
Mr Cameron says the Tories will shake up Parliament but the Lib Dems say only they can be trusted to bring change. The Tories say they have forced the government to drop three tax-raising plans - Labour says shelved plans will be in a new bill if it is re-elected.
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. After the official start of the election campaign on Tuesday, the focus will briefly return to Parliament later as the three leaders take part in the last prime minister's questions before Parliament is dissolved on 12 April.
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. Cider tax
In negotiations between the parties in the last two working days of Parliament, the period known as the "wash-up", several key measures were dropped from the Finance Bill.
The Conservatives say they forced the government to scrap a 10% increase in tax on cider, plans for a 50p duty on land lines to fund broadband expansion and plans to end tax relief on holiday homes.
The big issue at the moment is can we sustain the recovery? Gordon Brown
The tax on cider, which came into force on 29 March, will be reversed on 30 June unless Labour wins the general election.
Labour said none of the policies had changed and the government had agreed there would have to be further legislation for the cider tax relief and the other measures would be included in a second finance bill.
Other measures already dropped include plans for a referendum on changing the voting system - although the prime minister will outline new plans for a referendum on the "alternative vote" (AV) system later - and one on reforming the House of Lords, which would take place within 18 months of a Labour win.
'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. In an interview with GMTV on Wednesday Mr Brown said he was enjoying campaigning around the country and meeting people - and was looking forward to the televised debates with Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg.
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 big issue at the moment is can we sustain the recovery?," he said.
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. "Don't put that at risk. The Conservative policies are going to take £6bn out of the economy this year, in 2010."
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. He said this year was "vital for the recovery" and said the Conservatives would "cut middle class child tax credits".
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 LIVE: Text and video coverage Your say: Your election issuesIn the campaign you will hear a lot about political reform Nick Clegg Election-at-a-glance: 7 April LIVE: Text and video coverage Your say: Your election issues
Asked about his plans to raise National Insurance - which the Tories oppose, Mr Brown said it was necessary to protect public services.
Asked if he had ruled out a rise in VAT, he told GMTV: "We looked at it and we decided on National Insurance, we thought that was a better and fairer tax." He said a VAT rise was "not our plan".
While Mr Brown prepares to outline plans for constitutional reform, Mr Cameron will outline plans to make MPs more accountable, give voters the power to remove misbehaving MPs before elections and restrict lobbying.
But Mr Clegg will say only his party can be trusted with renewing the political system.
'People's PMQs'
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.
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.
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 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'
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".
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.