The papers report on last night's Sarko-Sego TV debate - but the value of such debates is in viewing them yourself and making up your own mind - as a reputed 20 million french men and women did yesterday.  The news channel France24 (one of Chirac's legacies) has a nice package about the debate available under the title "Royal and Sarkozy go head-to-head in fraught TV debate".

Elsewhere the journos were clearly getting an early night in preparation for tonight's flurry of late-night news as the results roll in. 

There was an interesting story from the Press Association this morning that Blair was going to resign as an MP at the same time as standing down as PM.  However, this has now been firmly denied ("Blair will not quit yet as MP")

Turn instead to the best of the Blair retrospectives that are abounding at the moment.  For our money there are only two worth serious contemplation.  The Guardian has assembled 11 Steve Bell cartoons which is like a trip down memory lane. Meanwhile, CentreForum have just published a fully revised and updated audit of the Blair years in 'Blair: the record, the legacy' which comes highly recommended.

Also in the news today

• The most pointless waste of ink and paper award goes to The Telegraph for its leader column today.  You could have forgiven them if they had acknowledged what a parody of themselves they have become.  Never mind - read "The Tories and the Union deserve your vote" to enjoy The Telegraph at its predictable best.