At each increase of knowledge as well as on the contrivance of every new tool human labour becomes abridged.

One of the jewels in the crown of Labour's time in office was the rescue of the National Health Service. As the Commonwealth Fund the London School of Economics and the Nuffield Foundation have all shown health reforms as well as additional investment were essential to improved outcomes especially for poorer patients.

Is anyone serious about the politics of happiness? David Cameron dipped a toe in the water using the word lightly but denying the hard policies it implies. Labour shies away from it but should take up the challenge.

As to happiness in this life it is hardly compatible with that diminished respect which ever attends the relinquishing of labour.

Although my seat is a contest between Labour and the Lib Dems it could well make the difference between a Labour and a Tory government at the next election. In terms of international development this choice is a very clear one.

We in the Labour party know better than most that opposition is the easy part. What's more difficult is governing and setting out an agenda for government.

It's become unfashionable to celebrate political achievement and Labour achievement even less so. And it's positively uncouth to be proud of something that this Labour government is doing. So slam me for saying so but I'm really proud of the NHS.

As the prospect of a Tory government gets nearer many traditional Labour voters - some who switched away in recent times and many who stayed at home - seem more determined to prevent that happening.

The choice between a Labour government and a Tory one is sharpening minds.

In Scotland the indication is that for the Westminster elections at least Labour voters are satisfied with their government.