Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg (left) with economics chief, Vince Cable April 14 in London. (Getty Images)

The Liberal Democrats are the third and final of the main parties to launch their manifesto ahead of the UK election.

Liberal Democrat economics chief, Vince Cable, introduced Nick Clegg. Cable is considered by much of the media to be the leading light of the Liberal Democrat party, some say he's a greater asset than the party's leaders himself.

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Posted by: CNN Election Producer Jonathan Wald
Filed under: Election •General

Posted by: CNN Election Producer Jonathan Wald
Filed under: Election

London, England - Throughout the next few weeks, CNN will be taking the temperature of the UK election campaign using less traditional indicators.

We'll be looking beyond conventional polls to what can be revealed by the media, the markets, the smart money and even the choice of drink at the local pub!

Media

Which parties and players will grab the headlines in the world's media? Who’s following who on Facebook, Twitter and other social media? We’ll be using a new search tool - the Emerging Stories Detector - to follow how the rest of the world is covering the UK election. (Watch Connect The World on Wednesday.)

Markets

How will the financial markets react to the performances of the political parties along the campaign trail? Some polls suggest the United Kingdom could be heading towards a hung Parliament where no one party has a clear majority. Will the perception of a less decisive government frighten investors away from the UK? We’ll take stock of the fortunes of the pound, the bond market and the FTSE index. (Watch Quest Means Business on Thursday.)

Betting

And from the lofty heights of the City to the bookie on the street, where will the man on the street be placing the smart money? What odds will the bookmakers give the political leaders. (Watch W1 on Tuesday.)

And from the bookie on the street to the pub on the corner, we’ll be keeping an eye on the Swigometer in the Vote With Your Throat poll as punters take their pick from three draught ales. They all pour exactly the same drink but the customer can choose from different labels: Labour red, Tory blue, and Liberal Democrat yellow.

CNN will be tracking all of these indicators at regular intervals to see which way the electoral mood is swinging, inside and outside the UK, which issues the British public care about and who might come out on top on May 6.

Posted by: CNN Election Producer Jonathan Wald
Filed under: Betting •Indicators •Markets •Media •Vote with your throat