I write this brief posting having just watched the first Leaders’ Debate on ITV1. The instant polls put Nick Clegg in front by a mile – gaining 43% support on the ITV poll and 58% in the Channel 4 poll. If that level of support were translated to the ballot box, Nick Clegg would be Prime Minister. Roll on, May 6th.

Meanwhile, Glasgow Central had its own Question Time last night, the whole 90 minutes being devoted to climate change. No polls were taken after the meeting; but my agent was smiling, which is always a good sign. One reason to smile, despite the seriousness of the threats to the global environment, is that the Liberal Democrats have detailed, costed, achievable proposals to help counter those threats, proposals which are highlighted (or rather tabbed) in green on nearly every page and in every policy area of the Liberal Democrat Manifesto, launched earlier that day. Environmental awareness is a green spine running through the manifesto, the backbone on which our plans for economic recovery and human prosperity, not to mention biodiversity for its own sake, hang. I commend this manifesto to the electorate.