|
Campaign analysis: Wednesday April 6
Daniel Forman's daily diary of the election campaign.
Wednesday April 6 11:35am GMT
While the campaign will almost certainly throw up a few surprises - or "events" as Harold Macmillan called them - that will help shape the election, the first few days will be crucial to setting the tone and topics of debate.
That's why all three major party leaders appear to be completely ignoring each other today, despite the fact that their Commons clash at prime minister's questions will probably be the closest we come to a US-style television debate.
In 2001 the Tories tried desperately to make the poll a referendum on keeping the pound - and failed.
In contrast the Conservatives will talk little about the EU this time, despite the fact that their position on the single currency and constitution is more popular than the government's.
Now Michael Howard wants media coverage to be about law and order, because he has a track record as home secretary to point to and a stick of violent crime statistics to beat the government with.
Charles Kennedy is talking about family policies. Many analysts believe middle class women will be the crucial swing constituency in this contest and if this becomes a big election issue the impending birth of the Kennedys' first child will provide an even bigger poll boost to the Lib Dems.
Gordon Brown was also appealing to them by visiting a Sure Start centre and promoting Labour's record on childcare.
But Tony Blair appears determined to make Brown's tenure at the Treasury the central issue, despite sidelining his chancellor from running Labour's campaign.
As Populus reported in the Times this morning, the economy remains the government's strongest card, with the Budget last month adding further value.
Whoever wins this early, agenda setting battle, will be well on their way to achieving their goal.
|
