One of the most closely-contested general elections for decades gets under way as parliament is dissolved – meaning every one of the 650 MPs elected in 2010 is officially out of a job.
The general election campaign has officially begun after the prime minister informed the Queen of the dissolution of parliament.
An MEP and general election candidate expelled by Ukip over allegations of an inflated expenses claim vows to fight the decision.
Ukip is plunged into turmoil as MEP Janice Atkinson and another general election candidate are suspended, while a third resigns claiming there is racism and bullying within the party.
George Osborne refuses to rule out a deal with Ukip after the general election in the event of a hung parliament, as Nigel Farage reveals a pact with the Conservatives could be possible.
Pub Landlord Al Murray, who is standing against Nigel Farage in South Thanet, was to be “parachuted” into the constituency this morning – until he claimed he was too heavy to jump.
Siobhan Kennedy
The chairman of John Lewis made clear on Thursday what he thought of Nigel Farage’s plans to scrap racial discrimination laws should Ukip ever form a government.
Nigel Farage sparks a Twitter row after calling to scrap “much of” race discrimination legislation in a Channel 4 documentary, due to be shown next week.
Britain’s main broadcasters say they are sticking to plans for three televised leaders’ debates in the election campaign – a decision the prime minister’s spokesman called “disappointing”.
Nigel Farage defends Ukip’s popular appeal, as transsexual and former boxing promoter Kellie Maloney receives a standing ovation after an emotional speech at the party’s spring conference.
A publicity stunt for a revival of The Producers saw scantily-clad women in Nazi uniforms outside the venue for Ukip’s spring conference. Is Ukip itself in need of a revival?
Watch the hunter become the hunted. Paul Lambert, the former BBC producer, now Ukip’s head of communications, finds himself in the firing line of Channel 4 News’s Michael Crick.
Addressing Ukip’s spring conference in Margate, party leader Nigel Farage says the UK must adopt the Australian-style points system to decide who should be able to settle in the country.
The Ukip leader travelled to Washington to speak at right-wing conference CPAC – but was placed bottom of the bill, after most of the delegates had left.
A Ukip government would spend an extra £3bn a year on the NHS. Where will the money come from – and will it be enough to pay for all the promises?