Election 2015 in pictures: 9 April
- Published
Labour leader Ed Miliband launched his party's education manifesto. He accused the Conservatives of having "a plan to cut back education in the next five years when we should be investing". He said Labour would protect education funding in England "in real terms".
At a news conference, UKIP deputy chairman Suzanne Evans (centre) was joined by Councillor Diane James and Patrick O'Flynn, the party's candidate in Cambridge, who said: "One of our key strategic goals is to get clear good second places in over a hundred seats, as a basis for 2020."
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon raised the issue of defence, describing nuclear weapons as the "ultimate insurance policy". He committed a future Conservative government to maintaining the UK's nuclear programme while accusing Labour of being willing to use the subject as a bargaining chip with the SNP.
Prime Minister David Cameron visited the John Taylor Bell Foundry in Loughborough, the largest bell foundry in the world, with local candidate and Education Secretary Nicky Morgan.
Meanwhile, Chancellor George Osborne struck oil while helping out at a garage near St Austell while campaigning in Cornwall.
Leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg was also in Cornwall where he met patients and staff at Bodmin Community Hospital.
Then it was back on the party battle bus and off to the next destination.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson was pushing his party's message in a cafe in New Malden, south-west London.
In Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon escorted children to a bus during a visit to Loanhead after-school club.
UKIP leader Nigel Farage took his campaign to the seaside, looking for voters on Broadstairs Beach in Kent with prospective councillor George Rusiecki.
Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, was persuaded to pose with a Border collie called Rio at Clochnahill Farm, Stonehaven, while canvassing.