Election 2010 timeline

by John Silk

The live television debates are over, the egg throwing has been done and the microphones have been well and truly switched off. So, how was it for you?

By the time you read this, the result will be known. Whether we have a new Conservative government, a surprising new leader in Nick Clegg, an unlikely landslide for Labour or even the dreaded hung parliament, this will go down as one of the most remarkable election campaigns in memory.

April 6 – Prime Minister Gordon Brown announces that a General Election will take place in exactly one month's time.

April 9 – Conservatives announce plans to cut public spending by £12 billion.

April 12 – Labour launch their manifesto promising not to raise any rates of income tax.

April 13 – Next up, the Conservatives assure voters better qualified teachers if they assume power next month.

April 14 – The Lib Dems are the last to launch their manifesto declaring they will ensure a greener Britain with fairer taxes.

April 15 – First ever televised debate and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg emerges as the apparent winner as the Lib Dems eat into Labour's and Conservative's advantage.

April 18 – The Daily Mail question Clegg's 'Britishness' by illustrating that his wife is Spanish, his mother is Dutch, he has a half-Russian Father and a German spin doctor.

April 19 – The government come under heavy criticism for the crippling effect the volcanic ash flight ban is having on the Europe’s airlines.

April 21 – The campaign's first egg throwing incident occurs as David Cameron, the Tory leader feels the wrath of a student from Cornwall.

April 22 – Clegg wins by smaller margin at second TV debate. Brown claims: “Nick you would leave us weak, David you would leave us isolated in Europe.”

April 28 – Brown is caught on a TV microphone describing lifelong Labour voter Gillian Duffy “bigoted” - he issues a full apology.

April 29 – The final TV debate indicates slight advantage for Cameron.

May 1 – The Guardian newspaper is backing the Liberal Democrats while The Times, for the first time in 18 years, is backing the Conservatives.

May 3 - Polls indicate Conservative majority and Clegg accuses the Tory leader of “measuring up the curtains for Downing Street”.

May 6 – The nation goes to the polls.