As the economy faces such difficulties, more tough questions need to be asked about what the Tories would do if elected. Their ideology of free markets and small government needs challenging. That has to be part of our job.

I'm honoured to have been selected to be the Labour candidate for Manchester Central.

The Tories seem unable to make any impact north of the border.

What the Lib Dems have failed to do is offer any meaningful agenda for government or for power.

The era of industrial Britain, where a large section of our workforce provided cheap labour in factories and processing goods is over.

Even though I support the blue side of Manchester's football heritage, I don't really mind that wherever I go in the world it's not Manchester City that starts the conversation. 'Ah, yes, Manchester United,' is the response when I say where I come from. It's commonplace everywhere - in Europe, Africa, Asia and even the U.S.

In Scotland, the indication is that for the Westminster elections at least, Labour voters are satisfied with their government.