General Election 2010: 'Tories have landed the biggest punches'

THAT'S the end of round one in the general election prizefight. There's a long way to go, but so far the Tories seem to be edging it.

Only four days in, David Cameron's party has landed the biggest punches, while Gordon Brown's team has suffered the first major slip-up.

Taking the latter first, Labour was spectacularly caught out yesterday by one of its own candidates. Moray hopeful Stuart MacLennan's offensive messages proved Mr Cameron correct when he warned what politicians would become if they made too many Twitters . . . and it wasn't twits.

Mr MacLennan was rightly sacked, but Mr Brown and Scots Secretary Jim Murphy were left red-faced. They were pilloried not just by the Tories but also by the SNP, which tightened its grip on the Moray seat as a result.

Labour's embarrassment will pass and, such colourful diversions aside, this election will be won and lost on more substantial matters.

The early battleground last week, perhaps unsurprisingly at this difficult time, was the economy, and tax in particular.

Despite the long-standing claims that there is little to choose between New Labour and Conservatives, clear water appeared between them on the issue of National Insurance.

And it was here that Mr Cameron's punches connected, with a simple argument against next year's planned NI increase. Inarguably, that tax rise will cost both workers and business. Company bosses were quick to back the Tories on this, and it will be no surprise if the weekend polls reflect this.

But recent history shows that the opposition usually starts election campaigns well and the Tory arguments may founder as their plans come under scrutiny.

Shadow chancellor George Osborne had a good week but he is yet to convince that he can find further public sector savings to fill the 6 billion budget hole left by scrapping the NI increase.

That is why Gordon Brown seems happy to fight on this ground, despite last week's setback of National Insurance. He believes that if the election is to be won and lost on the economy, his experience will prevail.

All of which promises to make for an interesting further 25 days to come. The prospect may fill many readers with dread but at least we have what many pundits predicted would not happen – a lively political battle fought on clear ideological lines.

And, don't forget, you have until 20 April to register to make sure you have a chance to vote on the outcome.