With criticism of the so-called "dementia tax" dominating the headlines and Corbyn focussing more in the left-wing social issues he's known for, the gap between the two main parties appears to be closing
The Conservative manifesto reiterates the largely meaningless notion that ‘no deal is better than a bad deal’ but it offers no clues about how negotiations with the EU might be taken forward
History is full of nations that made the error of fighting the last war, or the one before that, rather than the one looming ahead
It is already clear that the Prime Minister will deploy one of the oldest tricks in the political book: stealing your opponent’s clothes
If he can step back from firefighting the daily crises of an underfunded service, Mr Hunt should convene some deep thinking about assessing the unexpected challenges that might break the NHS in future
The Labour proposal to create a “Minister of Peace” is a harmless indulgence, but the realisation that issues such as climate change and water shortages will create fresh conflicts also shows a sharp awareness of the dangers to the UK’s security in the modern world
But Jeremy Corbyn’s programme is flawed and its presentation failed to inspire confidence in Labour’s competence
Mr Comey has, punctiliously, made clear also that the FBI is determined to carry out further investigations into the links between Russia and the Trump presidential campaign. Few believe that this and his sacking are entirely coincidental
Historic prejudices against Labour over economic competence and the Tories over NHS privatisation hold firm; likewise, the electorate has not forgiven or forgotten the Lib Dems’ backtracking on student fees
Rejecting candidates because they are ‘not left-wing enough’ and letting a right-winger win instead is a bad form of tactical voting, in France or anywhere else
For the health of our democracy we need an effective opposition, and we need it now
On 9 June whoever is returned to Downing Street will face those same grim challenges, except that a good deal of time will have been wasted on an unnecessary and premature general election
Europe is the world's largest trading and economic bloc. The UK is a great trading nation that earns an uncomfortably high proportion of its living from trade and investment with the continent. We need them more than they need us
In terms of personal taxation the stated policies of the two parties, so far as we know them, look surprisingly similar. Higher earners will pay more tax, while lower wage groups will pay less
It wasn't a wise move to call Jeremy Corbyn a ‘mutton-headed mugwump’ in a newspaper column (although the Labour leader might very well have taken that as a compliment), and Johnson's act is fast beginning to wear thin
In an interview on the BBC’s Today programme Jeremy Hunt’s fundamental response to questions about Conservative policy was to suggest that a good Brexit deal will make for a better NHS
It is important to remember that the Liberal Democrats played a significant part in preventing David Cameron from taking the country on a lurching journey to the right during those difficult coalition years
Emmanuel Macron appears best placed to to defeat the Front National leader, as well as being the best candidate in his own right
There are concerns that even the mighty US could struggle to fight against Isis in Syria and Iraq; in Afghanistan; and now possibly in North Korea
The Independent’s opinion poll today, giving the Conservatives a 21-point lead, underlines the urgency of the task facing those inside and outside the Labour Party who want to see a credible alternative to Theresa May’s Government
Tackling Isis at source and on the ground, in Afghanistan as in Syria and Iraq, is likely to be the only effective strategy