With the state of the economy at the fore of the most people's minds, the Tories made it the focus of their manifesto. Labour's "short termism" was attacked, and the need for "deliberate and thorough" planning and efficient management was stressed.

Rising prices and high unemployment were attacked as was the increasing tax burden. Among Heath's positive proposals for turning things round were tax cuts and a reform of relations with the unions as well as an increase in police numbers.

In similar vein, Labour's offering - Now Britain's Strong Let's Make it Great to Live In - also focused on the economy, as well as planning.

The party promised to replace the Tory "free for all" with rising prosperity, by increasing productivity, fighting inflation all to enable the government to afford better social provision for those in need.

Labour also promised to reform pensions, work on improving care for the disabled and tackle the poverty felt by low paid families.

The Liberal Manifesto - What a Life - painted a picture of a country brought to a shambolic state after 12 years of Labour rule and 13 years of the Tories.

Unemployment and homelessness, poor hospitals and pensioner poverty were all in need of action said the Liberals, who declared themselves the only party able to deal with the economy properly.