Today parliament dissolved, marking the start of official general election campaigning.

Newham Recorder: A light from a TV camera lights a pathway toward Number 10 (Pic by Andrew Matthews/PA)A light from a TV camera lights a pathway toward Number 10 (Pic by Andrew Matthews/PA) (Image: PA Wire/Press Association Images)

The coalition’s Fixed Term Parliaments Act demands parliament’s dissolution for a general election after five years in power.

To mark this government’s end, prime minister David Cameron will have an audience with the Queen later today, as will deputy prime minister Nick Clegg.

David Cameron is expected to say a Labour government elected on May 7 would bring “economic chaos” to an economy on the “right track”.

But Labour leader Ed Miliband plans to say the Tory promise of a referendum on our European Union membership poses “danger” to UK businesses and risks an “extraordinary loss of British influence”.

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said his party will occupy the “reasoned centre ground”.

Smaller parties have also begun official campaigning, with the Green Party of Scotland launching its manifesto and Ukip leader Nigel Farage claiming his party offers a “radical choice” and break from the “Westminister political class”.

Government ministers will remain in charge of their departments but cease to be members of Parliament until a new administration forms.