Today marks 50 days until the General Election on May 7.

It also marks the begining in earnest of the Daily Echo’s campaign coverage for what must surely be the most interesting, nailbiting political event in recent years.

As yesterday’s Budget from the Chancellor George Osborne proved, Election 2015 is proving to be something out of the ordinary.

Never in recent times have we known with such certainity and for so long just when the nation would be expected to go to the polls.

This might have led to a slow, dull, grinding campaign, when in fact all the opinion polls seem to indicate that it will be the most dramatic and exciting election in living memory.

For this paper’s part, the pledge is for a clean, fair, unbiased and balanced campaign as we set out to bring the election to life for the people of Hampshire.

Our aim will be to provide a platform for the parties to set out their stall and at the same time to ensure that those seeking your vote are asked to provide answers to the questions you pose.

Our focus will be on what matters to you, our local electorate. The campaign will still be long.

Officially the election does not start until March 30, but that hasn’t prevented just about everyone from attempting to get their voice heard first.

But this is an electoral marathon not a sprint, even if the finishing line is getting closer with each passing day.