The British news is dominated by the various announcements being made by the political parties about their policies. You can visit the main party websites via the links belowWhile these are the main national parties - there are many minor parties - and this election is likely to see a record number of independent candidates. At the weekend it was reported that there had been "a rallying call issued by Terry Waite, the former Lebanon hostage, to 300 independent candidates and activists in which he calls for reform of parliament in the wake of the expenses scandal. In a letter on behalf of the Independent Network, Mr Waite, who considered standing at the election, says he is 'gravely concerned about the political health of our country'".
In Scotland and Wales the nationalist parties (SNP and Plaid Cymru) will also be standing.
Note: New Statesman claimed last month that "Forming a viable government could well require negotiations with Esther Rantzen, Martin Bell and Terry Waite as well as Nick Clegg."
