First blood Labour as Tory marriage and health plans in confusion – 8 in the morning, January 5th

By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982

* LABOUR “DREW BLOOD” on the first day of the long campaign – pouncing on David Cameron’s error on marriage tax plans and unveiling a 150-page document showing holes in the Osborne budget plans. The Guardian reports that, “in an attempt to demonstrate his fiscal responsibility, Cameron initially said of his tax incentives for married couple: ‘It is something we want to do…[but] I am not today able to make that promise.’ But within two hours, Cameron rushed out a statement saying: ‘Recognising marriage in the tax system is something I feel very strongly about and something we will definitely do in the next parliament. We will set out exactly how in due course.'”

* AND THE TIMES reports that the Tories’ “hasty” health pledges, announced yesterday, were “left in confusion” as their “draft manifesto on the NHS appeared to downgrade, change and omit several key promises.”

* AT 6/1, bets on Labour to win the most seats at the election is a “popular choice”.

* THE ELECTION IS LOOKING “INCREASINGLY TIGHT”, says Blue State Digital’s Matthew McGregor as the parties move online.

* THERE ARE OPTIONS for any potential post-election leadership debate, says John Harris.

* But in spite of the good start, Labour Party treasurers are INCREASINGLY CONCERNED at the party’s financial position.

* ALASTAIR CAMPBELL WILL APPEAR at the Chilcot Inquiry next week.

* AN INDEPENDENT LEADER says the world must be careful in Yemen and develop a broa regional counter-terror strategy, as Yemeni forces claim to have killed Al-Qaida members.