People rightly want our political leaders - on all sides - to concentrate on minimising the damage to jobs, living standards and our savings from the banking crisis.

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.

There's a loss of faith in the banking system that for so long has been the backbone of prosperity and growth.

In the current climate motorists have a long list of issues from which to choose to raise on the doorstep. Policies aimed at reducing emissions - like the changes to Vehicle Excise Duty or here in Manchester the proposals for congestion charges - are not without controversy.

At times unpopular measures are needed in order to change behaviour.

At its most basic the democratic contract is a simple one: the right to vote comes with a responsibility to society, through tax payments and citizenship.