WHILE the war-of-words about the SNP peril still raged, it was a day when bread-and-butter issues – childcare, cancer care and public-sector pay – came to the fore.

Of the three, childcare is the most interesting, because it is an issue where the Tories believe they have trumped Labour...but can their sums be believed?

The headline is certainly attractive. David Cameron announced 600,000 extra free childcare places, doubling state-subsidised help for three and four year-olds to 30 hours a week.

The Conservatives are delighted that it leaves Labour’s flagship offer – 25 hours a week – in the shade, funded by a pensions squeeze on the rich.

But what’s this? The Treasury previously said Labour’s plan would cost a whopping £800m, so how has the bill suddenly plummeted so conveniently?

On the BBC, Tory minister Sam Gyimah spoke of savings on benefits and from the new Universal Credit, but it was unconvincing at best.

Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats argue both the big parties are ignoring the youngest children and would instead extend free early years education to all two year olds.

So, plenty for parents to ponder.

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“The Lib Dems have stopped nasty and damaging Conservative plans”, screams a leaflet – highlighting ‘regional pay’, or lower pay in the North for nurses and teachers, etc.

Ah, but what’s this letter sent by Danny Alexander, the Lib Dem Treasury chief secretary back in 2012, which the Tories quickly recovered?

He writes, enthusiastically: “In many areas, public sector pay does not reflect local labour market conditions...I am keen to see local, market-facing pay introduced across the UK.” I think you’re busted, Danny!

Meanwhile, the current Conservatives manifesto states: “We have ruled out the introduction of regional pay in the public sector, which we do not support and will not introduce.”

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Political journalists are in revolt over the way our political leaders prefer to make jigsaws with three-year-olds, rather than answer their questions – and, often, they don’t even get to watch.

First a Times reporter was banned from joining David Cameron and Boris Johnson in the nursery – then the Mail was shut out of an event with Ed Miliband.

Its reporter recorded the following exchange: "Why are u here?"

"I'm here for Miliband"

"But why are u here?"

"I'm a political reporter"...

"You can stand outside".

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Quote of the Day: Bez, the Happy Mondays’ dancer, on quitting the band if he wins for the Reality Party in Salford: “I’d be quite happy to do that, for the sake of the people.”

Gaffe of the Day: The Tory candidate in East Ham, London, who failed to fill in his own election leaflet...it reads, hilariously: “Vote Name Surname on May 7".