Cameron launches Tory campaign, with Big Ben in the background, surrounded by PPCs and supporters

Cameron spoke without notes for five or so minutes. His main message was:

"It is the most important election for a generation and it comes down to this: you don't have to put up with another five years of Gordon Brown.""

Earlier Brown, surrounded by the Cabinet, declared: "I'm asking you, the British people, for a clear and straightforward mandate to continue the urgent and hard work securing the recovery, building our industries for the future, and creating a million skilled jobs over the next five years."

Tim Montgomerie