AS the country chugs towards another hung parliament – and a much messier one than last time, it seems - just how damaging will it be?

Very damaging indeed, according to David Cameron, who ramped up the rhetoric today in a bid to scare wavering voters back into the Tory camp.

Warning against deadlock at Westminster, he said: “I think there is a risk to Britain from, as I put it, if Government comes to a shuddering halt you can find parts of the economy coming to a juddering halt.”

With Labour poised to lose most of its 41 Scottish MPs in an SNP bloodbath, it seems unlikely that even a combination of two parties will add up to stable majority, so is the prime minister correct?

No doubt there is a genuine fear that prolonged uncertainty will spook the markets and trigger a rise in interest rates – which would definitely slow down the economy.

On the other hand, the economy is already slowing down and there must always be a Government. Mr Cameron will remain in charge until someone forces him out.

Furthermore, Belgium was without an elected Government for a staggering 589 days in 2010 and 2011, because its parties were unable to strike a power-sharing deal, but the economy didn’t collapse.

The impasse did prompt one MP to call for politicians to be denied sex until they could agree on a Coalition. Perhaps we could try that?

Nigel Farage is locked in a tough battle to win the South Thanet seat, but has won unlikely support from the president of the European Commission, on a visit to the Brussels parliament.

Surely Jean Claude Juncker is not a exactly a fan of the EU-hating UKIP leader? “It means I won't be here anymore!” Mr Farage explained.

The unlikely success-story of the campaign has been Labour’s ‘Pink Bus’ – castigated as sexist by critics, but a hit with women voters who flock to greet it.

It was pranged today, but Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman tweeted: “#pinkbus got small dent - still has big message - will carry on. And yes was woman driver but not me! No one hurt, just pride.”

Quote of the Day: David Cameron on being reminded that – unlike him – Margaret Thatcher said she would “go on and on." He replied: “Yes, and look what happened next.”

Daft Prediction of the Day: Treasury Chief Secretary Danny Alexander, arguing the Liberal Democrats will retain all 11 of their Scottish seats. The polls point to a wipe-out.