You may have noticed that Gordon Brown called the election today. I think I saw it on the news once or twice.

We have been preparing the Sheffield campaign for months. Every day between now and May 6th is assigned, colour coded and labelled in a way that would make Arnold Rimmer proud. We spent today outside the Town Hall handing out "Flying Start" leaflets and talking to people. It was a really positive response - I know the most recent polls (which are all over the place) may not pick this up but in Sheffield there has been a definite move towards us and away from other parties over the last week or so. The prospect of a Tory government is focussing minds in a sharper way than any number of leaflets or phonecalls could: people know we've tried hard and they know we're on their side and want to do even more. They also know that the Tories have never done anything positive for them and never will. 

On a personal level, I am very excited; the next 30 days will be the culmination of years of hard work. Even when not a candidate, I love elections.

Despite all the nonsense and process stories and trivia that put people off politics, they are inspiring occasions that can call the best out of us. This election especially so: the difference between the parties is stark.

The competing directions we want to take the country in could not conflict more.

Nobody can now seriously claim that Britain after a further 5 years of Labour Government will look the same as Britain in 2015 under the Tories.

I am fired up and ready to go. I have a fantastic (and growing!) team supporting me. The choice facing Britain is clear. 

Together, we can forge the new economy that we need, reform our political system and build a future fair for all.

Let's get to work.