Ukip MP (and former Tory) Douglas Carswell takes aim at David Cameron, saying: 'Won't do TV debates. Anyone else think David Cameron reminiscent of John Major?'

In fact, Major challenged Tony Blair to a televised election debate in 1997.

He later commented: 'To everyone's amusement [Blair] chickened out.' Blair was then comfortably ahead in the polls.

Ukip MP (and former Tory) Douglas Carswell takes aim at David Cameron, saying: 'Won't do TV debates. Anyone else think David Cameron reminiscent of John Major?'

Five years previously, Major rejected Neil Kinnock's challenge for a TV debate, explaining: 'Every party politician that expects to lose tries that trick of debates, and every politician who expects to win says No.'

And so it remains, despite the blustering, current 'debate'.

Knickers magnate Michelle Mone, 43, was interrupted during a Radio 5 interview. The station had to broadcast a live speech on free schools by David Cameron.

Host Dan Walker apologised to Ms Mone, but the Ultima boss replied perkily: 'That's OK ... you can interrupt me for him any time.'

La Mone once backed Labour but joined the Tories in 2009. Shouldn't Dave be taking down frisky Michelle's particulars as a potential candidate?

She trills: 'I do love politics and you never know. Watch this space.'

La Mone once backed Labour but joined the Tories in 2009. She said: 'I do love politics and you never know. Watch this space'

Shadow chancellor Ed Balls claims that cuts would leave us with 'our smallest army since Cromwell.'

In fact, Cromwell's New Model Army is regarded as one of the most ruthless in history. It triumphed in the English Civil War against the Royalists. Cromwell isn't usually associated with military weakness.

Former Tory minister-turned-broadcaster Michael Portillo isn't shy about biting the hand that feeds him.

Speaking on Andrew Neil's BBC2 show, the Great Railway Journeys presenter told bearded Cerie Bullivant, the spokesman for Cage, which claims MI5 was to blame for Jihadi John's barbaric beheadings: 'I haven't been able to turn on the BBC all week without hearing and seeing you. I just wonder what the hell the BBC is doing giving you all this airtime.'

He's right. MPs should quiz that BBC old lag Tony Hall, formally known as the Director-General. Unless he claims again that – as a life peer – he's above their pay grade.

Rock rebel Keith Richards, 71, of the Rolling Stones, is accused of being a NIMBY for opposing a new beach-front cafe near his West Sussex home, telling the local authority: 'It spoils the natural beauty and seclusion of the beach. It dominates the area and degrades its character. The restaurant threatens the environment and locals. It cannot be allowed.'

Much the same has been said about the Stones for the past half a century.

Rock rebel Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones (pictured during a 1980 portrait session), is accused of being a NIMBY for opposing a new beach-front cafe near his West Sussex home

Conservative MP Charles Walker, who represents the Hertfordshire constituency of Broxbourne, says: 'I never will be on Twitter and never will have a Facebook strategy.'

Dismissing in an interview the idea that 'as a Member of Parliament I have to be everyone's best friend' Walker, 47, says: 'The idea that they (his constituents) want to know what I'm having in the dining room is just utterly, utterly objectionable.'