 Liverpool Riverside is like many other low-turnout constituencies |
A birth, a death and a marriage have all conspired to have an effect on the election campaign over the past week.
But, after a spluttering start, the General Election is now well under way.
On this morning's Breakfast:
We talked to the leader of the UK Independence Party Roger Knapman, as it launches its manifesto. Low turn-out: why do people choose not to vote? Breakfast's Sarah Campbell reported from Liverpool Riverside, where the turn-out at the last election fell to its lowest level for 80 years.
Many of you agreed with the consituents Sarah talked to: sometimes people make a positive decision not to vote, rather than just failing to do so.
 Our panel: Freddie Forsyth, Rosie Boycott and John O'Farrell |
And, we introduced our special panel of pundits, who'll look back over the election week each Friday. Meet Breakfast's pundit panel
Frederick Forsyth
The author of The Day of the Jackal is of course a Conservative supporter. In November 2004, the writer was part of a group which called for Tony Blair to be impeached over the war with Iraq Rosie Boycott
The former editor of the Express and Independent newspapers is a Liberal Democrat. John O'Farrell
The author of Things Can only Get Better - a life-long Labour supporter who once stood as a candidate in Maidenhead.
Today, our panel will be working their way through the week starting with Monday's manifesto launch by the Tories.
Tuesday saw the Lib Dems put their manifesto launch on hold as party leader Charles Kennedy rushed to his wife's side as baby Donald was born.
Labour was in the limelight on Wednesday with its manifesto launch making way for the Lib Dems to finally unveil their manifesto on Thursday.
But has there yet been a moment which defines the campaign, like John Prescott's punch or Martin Bell's confrontation with Neil Hamilton?
We'll hear from the BBC's political editor Andrew Marr.
There will be no Declan's Election Rally today - but he will be back on Monday, when he'll be in Exeter, to take a look at Council Tax.
You can find out more about Breakfast's plans to cover the general election
You can also keep up to date with the progress of the video voters who are sharing their views with us throughout the campaign
And we'd like to hear from you. Use this form to e-mail your thoughts on the election
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide.
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