JUST when you thought it was safe to tuck into the mince pies confident the political ups and downs of referendum year were over, today is officially the start of the 2015 General Election campaign.

From this morning, the so-called "long campaign" starts, when strict rules and limits apply to election candidates' spending.

This long campaign period will continue until the UK Parliament is dissolved.

From March 30, the "short campaign" begins when the rules and spending limits become even tighter.

The limit for individual parties is calculated depending on how many seats they contest; those fielding candidates in all 650 can spend up to £19.5 million, equivalent to £30,000 for each of the UK's constituencies.

Intriguingly, William Hague, the Commons Leader, yesterday put out an appeal for Tory donations, declaring the election was "going to be close". He also promised that thanks to an unnamed "group of supporters", any cash given would be "matched pound for pound, doubling your contribution".

From today, political junkies will be comforted to know there are just 139 campaigning days to go until May 7.