Unspinning the message

BBC News Online's regular panel of experts and insiders assesses the latest skirmishes in what is still expected to be a spring battle for the next election.

Last time round their views, advice and warnings were strictly confidential to their party high commands. But read their latest analysis for the coming campaign by clicking on the links below.

Joy Johnson, was Labour's director of communications from 1995 to 1996, when she resigned amid reports of disagreements with Peter Mandelson. It was while working with him that she coined the term: "You can't win with spin."

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Jo Phillips was head of press in Paddy Ashdown's office when the Yeovil MP was Liberal Democrat leader. Along with a handful of other Ashdown confidants, she was part of the eponymous 'Jo Group' which advised the party leader on his relations - and secret negotiations - with Tony Blair and New Labour.

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Sheila Gunn, a former political correspondent for the Times, was political press secretary to then-Prime Minister John Major from 1995 to 1997 - advising him for the run-up and duration of the last election campaign. She was awarded an an MBE in his resignation honours list.