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After all the anticipation and speculation, it's finally happened and the starting pistol for the general election has been fired.

No sooner had Gordon Brown's entourage returned from the Palace than high profile ministers and their shadows were raced onto Norwich-bound trains.

First up was John Denham, , member for Southampton Itchen since 1992, so his website tells me.

I don't recall him having graced the steps of Norwich Town Hall before but he seemed pleased to be enjoying the spring sunshine there this lunchtime.

Surrounded by Labour acolytes, I asked him about the transport links to the city.

"I never pretend that governments can solve all problems that there are, with a wave of a magic wand," he told me.

"Sometimes you have to do things in a particular order.

"It's one of the reasons we think it's important to win the election again, because while there's a lot that we're proud of and a lot we've achieved, there's things we need to learn from and build on for the future."

I know what I'd like them to build - a decent road from Essex.

Then Mr Denham breezed off round the market square to meet the public, almost bumping into , the Shadow Health Secretary on his way into the Forum.

Norwich North MP, Chloe Smith, a Conservative representing what is now a Labour seat thanks to boundary changes, opened the proceedings.

The South Cambridgeshire MP was in fine fettle as he addressed Conservative followers.

Andrew Lansley enthused: "We have been waiting for a long time. I think the country has been waiting a long time. I think it's long overdue.

"I think when you look at the economy, our economy needed a new government long ago, needed a government that starts to put the dynamism back into the economy, one which focuses on enterprise, one that understands that it isn't just government expenditure that keeps the economy moving.

"Quite frankly it is also about all of us, working in business or enterprise and wealth creation, of people who spend their own money, people who go to shops and spend money, the economy isn't built on debt."

Funny, I thought it was.

At least the Conservatives' gathering provided a cup of tea - that was more than Easyjet managed at the other end of the patch where George Osborne pitched up at Luton Airport.

The staff canteen was made available to the media - as long as they paid for their own drinks.

The Lib Dems dispensed with meeting a couple of dozen party faithful and stayed in London.

From the relative safety of a studio their health spokesman and Norfolk North MP, , told us: "I think it is a great opportunity to make a real change. Change that works for the voter.

"We've had decades of failed government from the old parties and there is a real opportunity now, provided we grasp it, of achieving something different.

"A fairer Britain. Fairer taxes, a fair start in life for children. Getting the economy working, investing in jobs, sorting out the failings of the banks and critically, clearing up politics."

So, there you have it. The opening shots of this campaign, the most unpredictable in modern times. One things's certain, there will be plenty more where that's come from over the next five weeks.

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