Remember wages of £1.50 an hour? Actually, yes

After appearing at a recent 'generation debate' in Hucknall, Foreign Secretary David Miliband took time out to write to all who attended. His letter contained a heartfelt plea for voters to "remember how far Britain has come and take on the myth that our country is decline".

"Remember wages of £1.50 an hour, winter crises in the NHS, outside loos in primary schools, section 28, declining overseas aid spending?" he said. "They have all been changed by Labour in Government."

But perhaps not all of them. As Jim Radburn of the Carers in Hucknall organisation points out, the Government funding for the country's legion of carers means they often have to make it on £1 an hour or less.

You might have expected Mr Miliband to have remembered this when he penned his appeal to voters in the Sherwood constituency - as Mr Radburn mentioned it during the first question of the debate in Hucknall.

Lib Dems firmly on ground

Liberal Democrat deputy leader Vince Cable has insisted there will be no change in election strategy after the poll boost sparked by the leaders’ debate.
Mr Cable said that - despite the surge in support - the Lib Dems had got their feet “firmly on the ground”.
Quite right they have. The volcanic ash cloud meant Menzies Campbell had to cancel a trip to Notts last week - and leader Nick Clegg's three young sons have been stranded in Spain as a result of the flights ban.

At last: Hurley speaks out

We've already had Gary Barlow and Eddie Izzard jumping onto the Tory and Labour campaign bandwagons, respectively, but finally we've now been able to hear the views of the celeb we've all been waiting for: Elizabeth Hurley.
Her take on matters following the first live TV debate? "Note to Clegg and Cameron: refuse to wear so much make-up for the next debate. Heavy one-tone pancake base looks like a mask. Just say No!"
And there was me worried that the leaders' debate would trivialise the election.

Who do you agree with?

For any blogger, the ultimate goal is to get people to take your opinions seriously. The TV election debate got The Miner thinking – maybe I should change my name to ‘Nick’. After his performance on Thursday night, Lib-Dem leader Nick Clegg seems to be the toast of the nation. So much so, that one national radio station dedicated a feature the following morning in his honour, called ‘I Agree With Nick…’. The premise was simple – anyone called Nick could ring up and have their 15 minutes of fame and speak of how they’d change our nation. So Nicks from across the land, including one from Newark, called up with their pearls of wisdom about schooling, the NHS, or even how they’d change the fortunes of their local football team. The presenter then mulled over whether to agree or disagree with the caller, uttering ‘I Agree With Nick’ in the majority of cases. So next time you want your opinions to be valued, it appears there’s only one choice for all ‘non-Nicks’ out there – dig out the number for Deed Poll...

BNP fears...

The Miner can't help but notice that some candidates in Notts seem afraid of speaking to the media.
Nottingham North BNP candidate Bob Brindley said he had to check with the regional press officer before opening his mouth. And Erewash BNP candidate Mark Bailey said he was unable to comment on the campaign issues.
Eventually we managed to persuade Bob (whose real name is Simon) to chat to us so he's earned himself a couple of lines in the paper.
Up in Mansfield, independent candidate Andre Camilleri has issued answers to our questions through his agent.
Meanwhile, over in Ashfield, Gloria de Piero seems to be giving the national press the slip, but at least she will talk to us.

How Deep is Your (Tory) Love?

Take That's Gary Barlow is apparently launching 'innovative new plans for a national school music competition' with David Cameron.
Had never put the song writer with the Tories... could it be magic?

Story at http://www.conservatives.com/News/News_stories/2010/04/Conservatives_and_Gary_Barlow_launch_School_Stars.aspx

Evening Post tweets Clegg

So, Nick Clegg is now following Post reporter Delia Monk on Twitter...
Her tweets have made sure he knows all about the forthcoming Post election hustings in Notts so, who knows, maybe the Lib Dem leader will be seen sitting amongst the audience in Kirkby-in-Ashfield? After all, the Lib Dems think they've got a good shot at the usually safe Labour seat. We may even let him on satge.

The next debate will take place in the Sherwood constituency at the John Godber Community Centre in Ogle Street, Hucknall, from 7.30pm on Wednesday April 21.
A hustings will be held in Ashfield constituency at the Summit Centre, in Pavilion Road, Kirkby, on Wednesday April 28, from 7pm and another will be held in Gedling constituency at Arnold Hill School, on April 26 at 7pm.