The unknown election with three ‘novice’ leaders

On the day that the new 50p tax rate comes into force, Brown drives to the Palace to seek a dissolution of parliament.

This will be the first election since 1992 where the result is in doubt at the outset of the campaign.  We also have three ‘novice’ leaders.  Neither Brown, Cameron nor Clegg have lead their party before.  The last time this happened was in 1979.

Nick Clegg has the easiest job of the three.  Nobody will be interested in his policies.  All he has to do is become known, not slip up during the TV debates and then pray that fate delivers a hung parliament.  Whatever happens on 6 May, Clegg will survive.

David Cameron, of course, should have ‘sealed the deal’ by now.  His failure to do so is the reason why we are entering the unknown.  He cannot afford to make one mistake during the next few weeks.  Above all, Cameron has do prove that he is the Prime Minister-in-waiting and finally convince the electorate that his party has changed.  If the Tories do lose there will be civil war.  The party doesn't tolerate failed leaders.

At the end of the day, this will be an election about Gordon Brown, his personality and the policies that he has adopted over the past 13 years.  For once in his life he has to communicate, show empathy and crack a few good jokes.  Today, when he speaks in Downing Street, Brown sets the tone for the coming weeks.

For Labour, the campaign is not just about the election but the future direction of the party.  If the polling trend towards the Tories continues, the thin veneer covering the Brownites and Blairites will crack during the latter stages of the campaign.  Not even Peter Mandelson will be able to stop that happening.

So, let the campaign, gaffes and memorable incidents begin.  Hopefully, we all have some fun along the way and that the next few weeks won’t bore the voters.

What will be will be.