Prime Minister David Cameron drove a train in the East Midlands city of Derby on Thursday (12 February) as part of his electoral campaigning and to show the country was on track and well-led.

The photo opportunity came as the Bank of England (BoE) published its quarterly report saying UK inflation would continue to stay low for the rest of the year.

This issue has preoccupied the media and voters a few months before a general election that polls show will be even closer to call than the previous one which delivered a coalition between Cameron's Conservative party and Nick Clegg's Liberal Democrats.

The opposition Labour party is sure to use Cameron's train ride to describe his leadership as a train wreck.

Cameron's address to the British Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday (10 February) indicated he was concerned about getting everyone on board urging businesses to boost pay to share the rewards of the economic recovery.

They in turn have called for an early referendum on membership of the European Union to help reduce damaging uncertainty.

With the opposition Labour party threatening tougher regulation in several sectors and Cameron's Conservatives promising a referendum by end-2017 which could see Britain leave the EU, business faces a difficult choice ahead of what is set to be a closely fought national election.

Hoping to capitalise on their strong economic competence ratings, the Conservatives have put the economy at the centre of their campaign to remain in government.