By Justin Parkinson
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1109 After the election, Parliament will not return until 18 May, a full 12 days after polling. This gap has been left to deal with the possibility of a hung Parliament, where no party gains an overall Commons majority. It is normally closer to a week.
1100 Spectator magazine editor Fraser Nelson says the prime minister wants to stress that Labour's campaign is "collective". The Daily Mirror's Kevin Maguire says David Cameron's approach will be more "presidential", focusing on the leader.
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1054 Mr Brown says he will not allow 13 years of investment in public services to be put at risk. He promises to improve public trust in politics, following the MPs' expenses saga. Democracy has been "scarred" by recent events, Mr Brown says. He is "not a team of one" but "one of a team", he says, as his ministerial colleagues look on. "Let's go to it," the prime minister says in conclusion. He spoke for six minutes.
1051 Mr Brown says Britain is on the road to recovery and that it is important to get the "big decisions right". There are some very poor acoustics - the microphones seem to be picking up passing air traffic. The prime minister asks voters for a clear mandate to build industries for the future and to create jobs. The microphones are sorted now.
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1041 The Conservative leader says the country needs more than a "lick of paint", calling for a "whole new change".
1039 Mr Cameron tells his audience that it is time for the government to support the "Big Society", outlining the differences between his party and Labour over public services. Expect to hear this much more over the next four weeks or so. Mr Cameron also promises to campaign on behalf of the "great ignored".
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1032 Quick as a flash, faster than a speeding bullet (almost), the prime minister is back in Downing Street.
1031 The motorcade is making rapid progress. The BBC's Huw Edwards suggests the central London traffic has been "manipulated" for the occasion.
1029 The prime minister is leaving for Downing Street. He gives the assembled photographers a big smile.
1028 Gordon Brown is still at the Palace, his car waiting outside. That's about 20 minutes so far.
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1021 The Guardian's political sketch-writer, Simon Hoggart, reminds us that events beyond the control of politicians can have a major bearing on election campaigns. With important economic figures due out soon, we should take nothing for granted, he adds.
1018 On his Twitter feed, Gordon Brown's special adviser Justin Forsyth says the prime minister is looking "calm and determined" and is "making us all laugh".
1015 Gordon Brown's former spin doctor, Charlie Whelan, now at the Unite union, says his old boss is a "man of substance", whereas David Cameron "is all PR".
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1007 Gordon Brown has arrived at the Palace to meet the Queen. He should re-emerge shortly, having been granted a dissolution of Parliament.
1005 Mr Brown's cavalcade makes its way to Buckingham Palace. A Tory activist holds up a placard visible to the news helicopter bearing the party's slogan "Vote for Change". Incidentally, it is only when one gets an aerial view of London that the true length of a "bendy bus" becomes apparent. The PM's car is dwarfed.
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1000 The media helicopter is hovering above Downing Street, with crowds milling on Whitehall. How does a cameraperson get a good vantage point from up there? Do they lean out of the chopper? Surely not.
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0955 The cabinet is still in session in Downing Street. Not long to go.
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0950 The Queen is arriving by helicopter at Buckingham Palace for her meeting with the prime minister.
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0941 Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne, MP for the marginal seat of Eastleigh, says tight contests like the one he faces are a good thing. They make parliamentarians raise their game, he adds. His party's Treasury spokesman, Vince Cable, has "got it right all along" on the economy, Mr Huhne says.
0937 In media terms this campaign will be unprecedented. Some 50 years after Nixon and Kennedy first battled on-screen in the US presidential race, it's our turn for some leaders' TV debates. Not to mention the use of social media, such as Twitter. But, for the activists, the story never changes: pounding the pavement, talking to voters. They'll be getting through some shoe leather over the next 30 days, with 650 constituencies up for grabs. At least the weather's good in London, for the time being.
0934 Michael Gove, the shadow schools secretary, says the Conservatives are ready for the campaign. He says Gordon Brown's "tax on jobs" - an increase in National Insurance - will "kill the recovery".
0931 BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell says the Queen will be keen to keep her audience with Gordon Brown brief, as she has other engagements later today.
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0924 Standing on the steps of 10 Downing Street, Mr Brown is expected to say the UK faces three "big challenges" - securing the recovery, protecting front-line services whilst halving the deficit, and renewing politics. Mr Cameron will argue that the Conservatives are the party of the "great ignored". Meanwhile, Mr Clegg will claim the country has become less fair under Labour, after almost 13 years in power.
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BBC NEWS
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