The announcement hasn't been officially made but everyone seems to think there will be a general election in May.

The main political parties have already launched a phoney war, with pledges and policy announcements now an almost daily event.

How much tax we pay is likely to be a key theme of the election battle, with Labour and the Tories seeking to convince the voters that they can each get more bang for their buck.

But the Liberal Democrats have once again pledged to raise the top rate of tax.

The additional revenue would be used to abolish fees for university students and fund free long-term care for the elderly.

As the only party promising to put taxes up, Charles Kennedy hopes his tactic of playing it straight with the voters will prove successful at the polls.