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Labour MP Jack Dromey, shadow policing minister, says the Budget has not worked for the government because people are not feeling the benefits of the recovery that George Osborne talked about. The SNP is the last big hope of the Conservative Party, he says. But it's undoubtedly an unpredictable election, he tells John Pienaar.

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Over on Murnaghan, the Afzal Amin story is being discussed. Labour MP John Ashworth says that if true, "it's cynical and divisive" and the Conservatives "should get shot of him". Lib Dem Sir Menzies Campbell says allegations like this "besmirch the whole business of politics". Mr Amin, has of course, denied wrongdoing.

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Conservative MP and Financial Secretary to the Treasury David Gauke says the Budget was responsible and serious. Asked why his party hasn't seen more of a bounce in the polls, he tells John Pienaar the most important thing was that the Budget was consistent with the message the coalition has been delivering.

Speaking about the Tory candidate at the general election who has been suspended over allegations he schemed with the English Defence League to win votes, Mr Gauke says there is no place for such actions, if true, in the Tory party.

tweets:, external Perplexion re Isis medical students: "People who flew aircraft into the Twin Towers..were graduates," says Sir Menzies Campbell #murnaghan

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For a while, Scottish Labour wasn't strong enough - people didn't know what we stood for, Jim Murphy admits. Recently, we have set out a number of things we are for, he adds. "It takes time, and I'm confident we will turn it around."

tweets:, external UKIP: The UK Independence party manifesto may not be published until 15 to 18 days before the general election.

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The SNP are interested in the disruption and demise of the Labour Party, Jim Murphy says. The consequence of an "anyone but Labour" strategy is that you get exactly that - and David Cameron is the only other possible prime minister, Mr Murphy adds.

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Why isn't Labour strategy in Scotland working, John Pienaar asks? Jim Murphy says if the polls are borne out on election day, it will dreadful for his party and will increase the chances of a Tory government.

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Alex Salmond's party has been in power for eight years in Scotland but hasn't done many of the things it says it wants to do after this election, Jim Murphy says. Talk left, act right is what often happens with the SNP, he adds.

Scotland won't forgive the SNP if his party allows the Tories into power, he goes on. The fact is, he says, you can't get a Labour government without voting for your Labour candidate.

tweets:, external Former Lib Dem adviser Sean Kemp tells #murnaghan that English anger could be "overwhelming" if Labour do a deal with the SNP.

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Alex Salmond loves Scotland as much as I do, Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy tells John Pienaar. He says Labour are going into the election to win.

Mr Salmond says there is not much sign of Jim Murphy keeping his promise to hold onto most Labour seats in Scotland. There's also a mention of the former's book. He says the latter is mentioned only briefly - probably best as it sounds like that mention wasn't particularly complimentary.

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Ed Miliband was "foolish" to rule out coalition with the SNP, Alex Salmond says - not because it was ever likely to happen, but because he did so under pressure from the right - the Conservatives and certain elements of the press.

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Is it not a bit far-fetched to expect a relationship between Labour and the SNP after the election, David Torrance asks? Alex Salmond says he has respect for a number of Labour MPs in England, but parliamentary arrangements don't have to depend on them being "best buddies". You vote based on what you think is best for the country, he adds.

tweets:, external Lord Maude? Francis Maude says: 'politics and public service is deep in my DNA...surprised if I would be saying goodbye to it forever.'

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Tom Newton Dunn asks Alex Salmond what the Tories could offer him to persuade the SNP not to vote on English and Welsh laws. Mr Salmond says he won't do any deal - formal or informal - with the Conservatives. The Tories can't be trusted, Mr Salmond says.

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Alex Salmond says he finds it incredible that Labour think they can sustain government based on austerity while at the same time spending millions on a replacement for the Trident nuclear weapons system. That has more chance of tearing the party apart than anything he is proposing, Mr Salmond adds.

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Francis Maude is standing down as an MP and says it's "not for me to speculate" when asked by Dermot Murnaghan if his future lies in the House of Lords. He does though, say there's still "a huge amount to do" when it comes to cutting costs in Whitehall, adding: "This is what the public are entitled to expect - that the government will cut its own costs first."

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What is Alex Salmond's position in the SNP now that Nicola Sturgeon has taken over the leadership? She calls the shots, Mr Salmond says, but the party has always had a strong emphasis on team work. Ms Sturgeon will decide strategy after the election if a deal is on the cards, he says.

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Politics is getting more complicated, Alex Salmond says. More and more people like the idea of varied and interesting politics, he insists.

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Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude says some of the techniques he's used to save billions in the civil service are "applicable in the health service as well". He suggests the example of procurement, using the buying power of the NHS to drive down prices.