UK election at-a-glance: 17 April

DAY IN A NUTSHELL

As opinion polls continue to feed the post-debate focus on Nick Clegg, the leaders of the three biggest parties get back to more traditional campaigning across the country. The English Democrats officially launch their campaign in Kent, and weather presenter Sian Lloyd campaigns for Plaid Cymru in Aberystwyth. See how the day unfolded.

QUOTES OF THE DAY

"A hung parliament would be a bunch of politicians haggling, not deciding. They would be fighting for their own interests, not fighting for your interests. The way we are going to get things done is to have a decisive Conservative government."
David Cameron, Conservative leader

"People will all, have all their views about the style and about the presentation and about the images and the personalities, but, you know, an election like this is a big choice. And it comes down to very, very big issues. And it comes down to big choices people have to make about the big issues for the future."
Gordon Brown, Labour leader

"I think something exciting is happening. I think more and more people, a growing number of people, are just starting to believe that we can do something different this time."
Nick Clegg, Lib Dem leader

SATURDAY'S NEWSPAPER HEADLINES

The fall-out from Nick Clegg's performance in the first ever prime ministerial debate continues to be the focus of much newspaper attention. The Guardian says "the knives are out out for Mr Clegg" after his much-praised performance led to a boost in the polls. The Financial Times reports that David Cameron faces mounting pressure to turn his guns on Mr Clegg, who, the paper says, scored a "dramatic victory" in the debate. Meanwhile, the Daily Mail says that Mr Clegg is warning the party faithful not to get "carried away" as one poll suggests the Lib Dems are now running second to the Conservatives. Mr Cameron is reported by the Daily Telegraph as insisting the campaign is still a two-horse race - between Labour and the Tories.

A COMIC'S VIEW

Comic's take on election campaign

Jo Caulfield is one of Britain's best known female comics. For the Politics Show, she takes on politics, politicians and the election campaign - with the help of members of the public. "It's like [politicians] are wrapped up in their own little world, and they are not listening to us," she says.

LONDON'S LOCAL BATTLE

Election day in London will be about more than just putting MPs back in Westminster, about more than just voting in a new national government. Because for the first time since the present boroughs were formed in 1965, town hall elections are taking place on the same day as the national ones. In many ways, for those who ask, 'What's politics got to do with me?' this is the frontline. The boroughs are where politics meets the public head-on - whether its collecting your rubbish, or cleaning your streets, running your libraries, or overseeing schools, fixing potholes, or charging you to park - your local town hall will be making those decisions. Read Karl Mercer's full preview of the race in London.

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

Nick Clegg says people believe "something exciting" is happening in the election, as polls suggest the Lib Dems were boosted by the TV debate.

Meanwhile, David Cameron warned of the dangers of a hung parliament and said only a "decisive" Conservative government would "get the job done".

Labour's Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth declared the Liberal Democrat policy on Trident was "ridiculous".

It was revealed Gordon Brown and David Cameron are to face a Jeremy Paxman grilling on the BBC's Panorama programme.

The English Democrats chose Dartford in Kent to launch their manifesto.

FIGURE OF THE DAY

30 - The percentage of the vote that a Sun/You Gov poll gives to the Liberal Democrats in the wake of Thursday's televised prime ministerial debate.