TV Debate - who did best?

I was irritated by DC telling us, at least twice that his DCs went to a state school. NC came out and said that class size was important-I have always been fed up with government telling us that class size doesn't matter. If I was to pay for education it would primarily to be for the small class size. His 20 in primary school and 16 in secondary school sounded wonderful and would save so much money later.

I think Gorden Brown started from such a difficult place - easier for he others to criticise what is happening already.

Nick Clegg was great -remmebeing names etc etc.....but when it came to soundinglike a PM.I felt Gorden Brown knew what he was talking about, looked s relaxed and even made me laughed once (shudder)

FANTASTIC that the debate is on TV though!!! Helped mewith my vote deffinitely.

I feel sorry for GB he should have stayed as chancellor and gone down in history for that. David I don't know, not convinced and he did himself no favors going on about why the biggest industry leaders and therefore the most to gain personally with a Conservative government were appealing to him for help in not paying more NI.
I would really like a hung parliament because I don't think any of them have clear policies I can agree with it but all have lots of good points.

Just want to comment on how very MN it is to have Boden vouchers as a prize for the survey!!

1. Nick Clegg
2. Gordon Brown
3. David Cameron

Wont be voting Libdem as local candidate is a total fool. Have voted labour and conservative in the past. Will go to hustings and then decide.

However I feel slightly sorry for GB so he may get my sympathy vote.

I thought Gordon Brown sent out quite a strong challenge to David Cameron to match his comitment to NHS and Educaiton spening which DC completely ducked. That makes me worried about what DC would do in government.

I was about to get DH to play a drinking game with me, everytime DC said "I was in X the other day, talking to a Y person" - he said it in every single answer!

Before the debate, I knew I didn't want to vote Labour, cos they're just eejits who've screwed the country up. But I didn't know who I did want to vote for. After the debate, I now know that I don't wish to vote Labour or Conservative. DC had nothing worthwhile to say at all. So, I guess, by default, NC won that one for me!

I am obviously in the minority here, but I think DC won the debate, not by a mile, but on decisive conviction. I didn't like NC at all, his we are all 'honest' being trawled out over and over and GB's scripted answers were obvious. I like DC and I thought his suit was lovely

wish this was the mumsnet election - then DC would be off. Back to notting hill politics and expensive handbag shops. Back in your posh box..

DC smarmy, lacked passion, annoyed me when he kept bringing up his son, too many anecdotes which I didn't believe. Picked at GB and didn't answer GB's questions.

GB strong and experienced. Actually better than I thought he'd be. Felt he was passionate and genuine.

Love NC, honest, passion showed alot and felt I could trust him.

Great debate although started slow understandably - bring on the next two debates.

Gb was terribly coached and it just didn't work for him.DC really seemed even more tpryboy than normal so NC was definitely best although still won't vote for any of those!

GB or NC - don't mind

Just not the insincere hollow shallow superficial charmer DC

I got the impression DC was genuinely hearing some of the policies of the others for the first time - i.e. he was very unprepared and arrogant ............................bit like on his MN chat

I think NC did well, however I dont think it was too difficult as the other two just kept sniping at each other.

I think DC di worse than I expected, he kept spouting the same rubbish about everyone having to cut bcak - small businesses, large businesses, families, blah blah blah.

I actually took part in the ITV telephone survey and votes that NC came off best. He seemed to be more direct and to the point than the other two.

GB gets my vote.... but i didnt like his tie!!!!!

NC was excellent, very calm and in control. Also came across as one with authority. But then, I am biased as I am his wife's Biggest Fan due to the fact that she refused to be trotted out to cheerlead her gurning husband, unlike the other two. I was alsoseriously impressed by him remembering the names of the audience members.

DC a bit too oily and a bit too Tory.

GB just lacked conviction to me.

Still not voting for any of the above though.

I'm astonished anyone would think GB won that.
The prepared soundbites (Alastair, Mandelson) re the airbrushed posters.
The "I agree with Nick" moments.
He is an embarrassment as our premier officer of state, no matter what you think about policy. Can we really not get any better than this?!

orange, but organge not beyond him...

Nick Clegg apparently came top in the online poll after the broadcast. No surprise given his performance.

GB and DC fought amongst themselves most of the time.

Too much arse licking the people who asked the questions and not enough nitty gritty facts for my liking.

Nick Clegg had a good night - now I will defintely be able to spot him in an identity parade, though hopefully won't have to. And with Vince as chancellor - not a bad double act.

Gordon still gets my vote - not a face for television but a brain I will happily continue with.

As for Cameron, my disdain for his organge, air brushed, insincere, toadying... I find everything about him and his stance on everything offensive.

Not exactly a floating voter me...

For me it was (in order) NC, GB, DC.

GB's courting of NC made me giggle a bit, especially when NC looked as though he didn't know anything about it.

Of all possible outcomes, I'd like to see a Lib/Lab coalition and I think the debate confirmed it.

Agree with fabhead

Nick Clegg was the strongest of what was a very sterile debate. There needs to be less rules and more interaction between the leaders and audience. Thank God for Qustion Time.

Oh and style wise Nick Clegg won again as the slickest with the nicest tie.

I liked the way that it was done. I thought that Nick Clegg came out best.

GB pissed on the other two. He performed much better than I thought he would. He was calm, self-assured and backed up his spiel with hard facts. He is the only one who sounds even vaguely convincing when talking about economic recovery.

DC was very disappointing. Flimsy, insincere, defensive.

Clegg did exactly what I thought he'd do. He came across as a nice bloke with some good ideas, but it was all a bit 'student debating society' for me. He is lightweight compared to GB.

Definitely not DC, which surprised me. I've just listened to someone say that DC was 'outstyled' by NC and I'd have to agree. Still GB on policy. Not hearing anything substantial in DC's policy at all.. it came off as so much public school rhetoric.