In almost exactly seven days time, Britain will go to the polls. The scale of economic, political and environmental challenges that we face cannot be underestimated. Nor can the choice facing Britain. Two distinct visions are being presented by three parties (two economic liberalism, one socially democratic). One of these will shape Britain for the next generation.

There was a shocking revelation yesterday: Gordon Brown doesn't go out of his way to find differences with the public during a very close election. When he does find differences, he doesn't proclaim them widely. Oh the humanity!

I am sure that everyone who has ever knocked on a door or called a voter will know that in the course of the conversation you talk about points of agreement rather than areas where you disagree. This is normal human behaviour; consider the alternative.

This is a complete non-story and yet the front pages this morning are talking of it as a game changer. With a small number of noble exceptions, they all place one unguarded, perfectly understandable comment in bigger prominence than they gave Britain's continued ecnomic recovery or the rise in development aid, even though far more people are affected.

In the last week or so, I have had over 40 calls from national media outlets, basically wanting some dirt on Nick Clegg. There is no understanding or interest in policy or the issues that affect normal people - it is all about the cheap headline.

On one level, "Bigot-Gate" was fairly amusing, in that tragic-comedy way that is usually reserved for errant E-mails. On another, it was completely and utterly mundane. It certainly isn't going to affect how the vast majority of people vote and nor should it.

With 7 days to go, there really are far more important issues at stake here.

PS: Apologies for lack of posts of late. I have been out meeting voters, speaking at hustings and taking up casework.