Image source, PA

A bit more on BBC Scotland's TV debate plans, announced earlier.

One will see the leaders in Scotland of the Conservatives, Greens, Labour, Liberal Democrats, SNP and UKIP debate in Aberdeen on 8 April. A final leaders' debate - also being screened by BBC - is planned for 3 May in Edinburgh and will see Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon go head to head with the Labour leader north of the border Jim Murphy, Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson and Willie Rennie, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

Earlier this month, broadcaster STV confirmed it will screen a TV debate between the four leaders exactly one month before the May 7 general election. But with Scottish Greens not due to take part, party co-convener Patrick Harvie said they could consult lawyers over a possible legal challenge to the debate.

A Conservative spokesman has responded to Alex Salmond saying the SNP would vote against a minority Conservative government's Queen's Speech. The spokesman said: "Alex Salmond has confirmed he would sabotage the democratic will of the British people in order to make Ed Miliband prime minister. That would mean chaos for Britain, with weak Ed Miliband dancing to Alex Salmond's tune. The only way to protect Trident, keep Britain together and safeguard the economy is to vote Conservative."

Image source, PA

A system to sack MPs between elections has completed its parliamentary passage and will become law. MPs agreed to all the Lords amendments to the Recall of MPs Bill following a brief Commons debate. The legislation is one of the final pieces of the coalition agenda to head to the statute book ahead of May's general election.

tweets, external: Strikes me Alex Salmond is playing the media like a fiddle. Press seem excited about him saying exactly the same obvious thing in many ways.

BBC Radio 4

Our deputy political editor James Landale has been on PM talking about his recent interviews with Ed Miliband and David Cameron - both of which, of course, featured their kitchens.

He says kitchens are someone's "home space" - inviting journalists there relaxes the host, meaning it's a good place for interviews.

On the David Cameron piece yesterday, in which the prime minister ruled out a third term in Downing Street, he repeats that the question was not pre-planned. He tells Eddie Mair he thinks the prime minister had thought about it before, though - hence his quick answer and Shredded Wheat quip.

In his New Statesman interview, external, Alex Salmond also has a pop at Ed Miliband for ruling out a coalition with the SNP. He says: "If I were him, I wouldn't have ruled it out. I wouldn't give an inch to the Tory press or to the Tory party . . . Nicola has always said that she thought full coalition was unlikely but she didn't rule it out: she said it was highly unlikely."

tweets, external: A Tory-SNP deal (not a coalition) is v risky for both. But *if* the Tories offered the SNP what the Nats *say* they want how do they say no?

Image source, Reuters

Is there any chance at all of a deal between the Conservatives and the SNP after the election? Alex Salmond says no. Last night at an event in London, he told a journalist, external his party would not strike a deal with the Tories for full fiscal autonomy. Now, the former SNP leader has said his party would try and topple a minority Conservative government. He told the New Statesman: "The Tories would have to go effectively straight for a vote of confidence, usually the Queen's Speech…and we'd be voting against." more here, external.

Much of the political talk today, for obvious reasons, has been about the identity of the next Conservative leader. But how about the other coalition party? Lib Dem Business Secretary Vince Cable has had some pretty strong words for another of the potential successors to Nick Clegg, Tim Farron. Here's what Mr Cable told Buzzfeed, external: "He's a very good campaigning MP, but he's never been in government and has never had to make difficult decisions and I think his credibility isn't great. You know, he's an entertaining speaker and has a bit of a fan club. But I suspect he would not be seen as a very credible leader, at least now. Maybe in five, 10 years' time, things are different."

Our reporter Robin Brant has been looking at the reaction to David Cameron's revelation yesterday that he does intend to stand for a third term as prime minister. Are the potential contenders giving much away? You can watch his package here.

tweets, external: 46% of Green Party Cllrs support serving vegetarian only school meals, external

The coalition didn't make much progress in reforming party funding because the parties couldn't agree on the level of a donations cap: too low would help the Labour party, too high would damage Labour. Now the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, which has been investigating where the parties get their cash, has called for reform. Editor Rachel Oldroyd writes, external that review of the current legislation is now overdue. "It is certainly time for a thorough rethink," she says. "As the Bureau's past investigations have revealed there are considerable weaknesses in the rules governing disclosure of political donations and wider fundraising. The system is simply not transparent enough."

Image source, Youtube

Rapping hasn't formed a big part of this year's politicking, but that isn't stopping one Green candidate from taking to rhyme, external to undermine his Lib Dem opponents' arguments about tactical voting. Theo Simon, the Greens' candidate in Somerton and Frome, is a singer-songwriter as well as politician. He raps: "I've got no time for hacks at all / who yack: 'if it's too tight to call / be practical / vote tactical' / I want to smack them all / well no, not actually smack." It's certainly an unconventional approach to getting the message across, anyhow. Might this be the start of a trend? Let's hope so.

This is Alex Stevenson and Victoria King signing off. We've spent the day readjusting our brains to the new political reality that David Cameron has started the clock ticking on his leadership. Now our brains hurt and we need to go home, but the live blog continues with Nick Eardley at the helm. In the meantime, here's a summary of the day so far:

• David Cameron has been variously described as "arrogant", "refreshing" and "bizarre" for having ruled out a third term in Downing Street

• Politicians have been arguing over whether the government deserves credit for inflation reaching zero

• Shadow chancellor Ed Balls has pledged not to raise VAT in the next parliament

• Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has outlined the government's plans to increase Britain's military presence in the Falkland Islands

• ... and Shredded Wheat has become a serious part of the political debate.

tweets, external: I just can't see Boris or May or probably Osborne still being prime leadership contenders if it really is going to be in 5 years time

George Osborne has announced the telephone number for free guidance on the new pension freedoms is operational from today. The freedoms, which start on the 6 April, enable savers to dip into their pension pots as they wish rather than having to use the money to buy a pension annuity. They can ring the number, 030 0330 1001, between 8am and 10pm to book a guidance session. Phone sessions will happen from tomorrow, with face-to-face help starting on the Tuesday after Easter, once the reforms have been launched.

The BBC has a lot planned for the election, across digital, TV and radio. The press office has just published details of exactly what will be on offer.

BBC Scotland has announced plans for a debate between the Conservatives, Greens, Labour, Liberal Democrats, SNP and UKIP. The debate, on 8 April, will be filmed in front of an audience in Aberdeen. It will be hosted by Scotland Correspondent James Cook.

Daily and Sunday Politics

Image source, (C) British Broadcasting Corporation

The Democratic Unionist Party will "put our mat out very clearly before the election" and not take part in horse-trading after 7 May, said one of its MPs. Jeffrey Donaldson said "national issues will take prominence", and the party will decide this weekend at its spring conference where it stands on supporting larger parties. But speaking to Jo Coburn on the Daily Politics, he would not say whether he backed the Conservatives or Labour.

The DUP is the fourth largest party in the current Parliament and could have a role in deciding which party leads a hung parliament, should none emerge with a majority after the election. Speaking of a potential link up with his former Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), Mr Donaldson said "maybe that will happen one day". Watch the interview

Daily and Sunday Politics

Image source, (C) British Broadcasting Corporation

Politicians will make a lot of speeches in the coming weeks in order to win votes, but many of their lines will not have been written by them. Political speechwriters often either do the work, or hone the ideas of the politician they write for. Watch a Daily Politics film, where Giles Dilnot hears from two big beasts of the scriptwriting world for the view from behind the podium.