It's been an exciting few weeks for Total Politics as we've travelled across the country to host a series of pre-election Question Time events in partnership with City Inn hotels. But sadly, all good things must come to an end. And last night, at City Inn Westminster, we brought things to an end with a comedic bang!

Chaired by Iain Dale, our panel comprised Eric Pickles MP, Tony McNulty MP, Tom Brake MP and Steve Richards of the Independent. The first question from the audience focused on accountability in modern Britain and asked what, if anything, can be done about the lack of accountability in everything from politics to football. Eric Pickles was quick off the mark to explain that he was disgusted by recent revelations in the nation's favourite sport and that: "I'm not going to play any more." Needless to say, the thought of Eric careering around a football pitch was met with guffaws of laughter from the audience.

Steve Richards then piled in with a series of impressions of Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and Tony Benn, and explained that the ultimate question when it comes to accountability is "how you get rid of people who spend taxpayers' money". In particular he highlighted the need for people to be able to hold hospital administrators to account, particularly in light of the revelations in Mid Staffordshire.

Tony McNulty, refocused discussion on the accountability of MPs and expressed "some sympathy with open primaries" and warned that most new MPs after the general election would be former lobbyists and failed candidates. Lightening the mood slightly he ended by explaining that:

"Tories talk a lot about localism and don't mean it, we talk a lot about localism and don't understand it, and the LibDems talk a lot about localism and don't mean it or understand it."

When it came to local primaries though, Eric Pickles was unequivocal: "I think primaries are going to be the future of politics."

Discussion moved next to bullying and the relationship between Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling. Brake was clear:

"What is significant is that the relationship between Brown and Darling was as diabolical as it was despite us being in the worst recession since the 1930s."

Richards wasn't so sure that the relationship between the Prime Minister and Chancellor is that significant, but on the bullying front explained: "I know Brown has a temper." McNulty though was quick to defend Brown, pointing out that in all his dealings with the Prime Minister he had never witnessed any of the kind of behaviour which has been discussed in recent days.

A supplemental question asked whether the recent Tory trouble with Joanne Cash revealed that bullying wasn't just limited to the Labour Party. Pickles was quick to respond with a smile: "I went there to spread the love."

One of the most interesting segments of discussion focused on diversity on politics. Pickles revealed: "I don't think it works when you have all black or all women short lists." And Mcnulty quipped that: "As soon as Jack Dromey's selected, I'm sure we can go back to all women short lists." All were agreed though that efforts to increase the proportion of female and BME members of parliament had to be applauded, but that a great deal more needed to be done."

Asked what role they saw for Peter Mandelson after the election, McNulty was fast off the mark with: "Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Enterprise." Pickles thought "chat show hell" was more likely. But it was Richards who gave perhaps the most revealing answer by recounting a conversation in which Mandelson explained:

"I see myself as glue holding it altogether. An elder statesman... a youthful elder statesman."

And who are we to argue.

All told the final Total Politics/City Inn pre-election Question Time event was, like those in preceding weeks, a great success. And something tells me we'll be running similar events in the not too distant future...

Watch this space.