Campaign kick-off: 16 days to go

The Tories are partying like it’s 1992. Sir John Major is being wheeled out today to reinforce what Michael Fallon and others have said: the SNP are dangerous for Britain. Labour will continue with its ‘NHS week’ by promising more money and outlining what they will do on entering government. To help guide you through the melée of stories and spin, here is a summary of today’s main election stories.

1. Major moment

While Tony Blair’s standing has gone down since he left office, John Major’s has increased. He is now looked upon fondly by many Conservatives, coming from a time when the party won majorities and didn’t have to worry about threats from Ukip or the SNP. David Cameron will be hoping that Major’s gravitas will lend weight to the argument that the Scottish nationalists pose a significant threat to the future of Britain. According to today’s Telegraph, Major will describe an Ed Miliband government backed by the SNP as a ‘recipe for mayhem’:

‘At the very moment our country needs a strong and stable government, we risk a weak and unstable one – pushed to the Left by its allies, and open to a daily dose of political blackmail.’