Will Self on the campaign trail

As the politicians put up their campaigning shoes, and the media pour over the final polls, author Will Self has been conducting his own investigation into the campaign.

Listen again to his three reports for the Today programme.

HEIRS TO THE SCREAMER

Screaming Lord Sutch stood in more than 40 elections between the 1960s and the 1990s.

He was a well loved, flamboyant figure who always lifted proceedings on election night.

Since his tragic death in 1999 has anyone, can anyone, replace the fun on election night that David Sutch gave us?

HAS THE YELLOW CARDIGAN GOT COOL?

Despite its long history as the natural home of bearded liberals, the rise of Nick Clegg has bestowed the Liberal Democrats with a popularity not seen for many years.

How does the rise of the Lib Dems sit with those who have been wearing their cardigan with pride for some time? Are born and raised liberals comfortable with the new-found public interest?

EXTREMELY RELAXED

New Labour were once "extremely relaxed" about wealth. The party which once believed the means of production should be owned by the working classes became a comfortable supporter of the city.

But with the banking crisis and a global recession, not to mention the tight financial times ahead, has socialism fallen out of love with money?