Steerpike

With polling day less than a week away, it was a case of no rest for the wicked this weekend as politicians took part in some last minute campaigning. While Ed Miliband dreamt about erecting an 8ft 6in stone in Number 10, other members of the Labour party attended a campaign event. Organised by councillor Ansar Ali Khan, Labour members including Tom Watson, Liam Byrne and Jack Dromey joined supporters in Birmingham for a rally: https://twitter.com/JackDromeyMP/status/594177392979083264 However, at the event women in the audience were segregated from men. This issue did not go unnoticed by the party's critics, with many taking to Twitter to ask why Labour, which claims to be a party for equality, would support segregated audiences.

This morning the Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to a baby girl. The girl, who is the Queen’s fifth great-grandchild, is the fourth in line to the throne. As members of the public began to celebrate, the political leaders were quick to put out their own carefully worded messages of congratulations. With the election less than a week away, each leader must work out how to toe the party line on the monarchy, while not coming across as cold-hearted or too politically-minded. First out of the starting blocks was Nick Clegg who managed to mention both his constituency and his better half Miriam in his messages: https://twitter.com/nick_clegg/status/594444543220654080 https://twitter.

Tony Blair once counted Noel Gallagher as one of New Labour's key celebrity backers. However, under Ed Miliband's leadership, Labour can rely on no such support from the musician. In an interview on Alan Carr's Chatty Man, which airs tonight, the former Oasis member said he was unable to endorse any politician out of the current line-up: 'I'm not sure I can get behind any of them at the minute. I dunno. The fact that Cameron didn't turn up for the debate is a disgrace. I think that Miliband, if he gets in, is just going to fail us.' And why would Miliband fail? 'Because he is a f**king communist.' Mr S suspects it's time for Blair to show off his highly prized diplomatic skills and have a word. That's if Labour can afford his services.

After Camilla Long claimed on last Friday’s Have I Got News for You that she had spent more time in South Thanet than Nigel Farage, the Ukip leader failed to see the funny side. In fact such offence was taken by party members that one of his team took the unusual step of calling in Kent Police. The police have since rejected the complaint and word now reaches Steerpike that fractions are forming in the party over whether it was wise to report the incident in the first place. ‘We didn’t report her,’ insists a source close to the leader. Instead they say that they merely ‘reported the incident, which is her comments plus the BBC airing them'.

Given that Nigel Lawson served as chancellor of the exchequer in Margaret Thatcher's cabinet, Mr S suspects that the Conservatives will have hoped that they could rely on Lawson for a vote of confidence as polling day approaches. Alas, Lawson says that he has been disappointed by the manner in which the Conservatives have conducted their election campaign.

After Nick Clegg enjoyed a night out at the pub earlier this month, it only seems fair that his wife Miriam González Durántez should also be allowed to let off some steam. So Mr S was glad to see that she was a guest at last night's WIE (Women: Inspiration & Enterprise) Awards Gala at Goldsmiths' Hall. Conscious that her decision to attend a glitzy bash so close to polling day might raise eyebrows, Miriam explained in her speech that she was breaking election etiquette and that Clegg's political advisors would prefer her to be at home: 'Unfortunately General Elections are not seen by political advisers as good times for wives of political leaders to be attending fashion events. They are way too glamorous.