Third Leader's Debate - BBC 29th April

[CatherineHMumsnet]

In anticipation of tomorrow's TV debate, MN will be launching a fifth poll of Mumsnetter voting intentions as soon as the debate finishes. Can Cameron regain the ground he's lost? Will Clegg continue to build on his success following the first and second debates? We'll have to wait and see - but in the meantime, we've put together a handy table showing how your voting intentions and attitudes towards the party leaders have changed over the past four polls

I am quite cross that when I looked for a debate thread in Active combos I couldn't find it because it was unexpectedly stickied.

Perhaps I don't deserve the vote.

CU yes it is Murdoch run, and put out odd info last week.

I am not sure who was best tonight but I do know my 2 way floating vote has been finally secured so that's a vote win for one of them.

If DC is doing any more of his house calls, i would quite like him to pop in and tell DH and I what we didn't do right? Seems the only definition of right he has in mind ended in a very narrow lifestyle: one we had until life shafted us.

That's 'Active Convos'. "Active Combos" is something from a Millets catalogue.

The Lib Dem policy regarding VAT on new buildings is really sensible but NC could have explained much better. It is mostly aimed at stopping the ridiculous situation where there's a financial incentive to demolish and rebuild rather than renovate, which is hugely wasteful of resources and very unsustainable.

He is also right about the number of single person flats that have been bought up by buy to rent investors and which are now empty.

Wubbly, the Tories would have let you do your own screening and set up your own cancer unit. I know what you mean - had a benign lump recently and speed of hospital response was awesome.

It's the first I've actually managed to watch.

Hard to say who won really. I thought Cameron was his usual oily self, Clegg was ok but a bit "look at these two guys from the old two parties". I still don't believe all their policies are properly costed and some are completely barmy.

But don't think Gordon landed any punches that hit home e.g. nursery top up fees. Also think his summary was too negative. There are so many positives from Labour's years, particularly for people like me e.g. mat leave and benefits, flexible working, child tax credits, working family tax credits, free nursery places for 3 and 4 yr olds, minimum wage, massive improvements to NHS and schools, just don't think he did Labour's achievements justice.

I think I want Labour's policies but with another leader.

sorry, was smiling at active combos.

So, who did the most misrepresentation of other parties' policies?

YouGov founder and CEO is Tory PPC so I struggle to take them too seriously.

Suspect Tories will win and secure a majority, think more people will actually turn out and vote for them than is reflected in the polls.

brocky have you read the back of their manifesto where they describe how they cost their policies?

I don't know the Tory policy on cancer testing, but I'd like to bet it's nothing like what GB would have people believe. I suspect the Tories are coming at it from the point of view of who else is suffering to push that one particular target through.

PMSL@cinnamontoast

Vesela - Gordon Brown of course! It's all he ever does. Lie about Conservative policies.

Unexpectedly, that debate has absolutely convinced me that Conservatives can't be trusted with the economy. Really. DC came across as more "idealistic" than NC. Just imo. And way behind GB.

But am deeply worried for next week.

Where I live (in the Czech Republic) referrals are pretty much immediate. Waiting lists aren't an issue. The idea that you would wait at all is hard to imagine.

God, I'm depressed. We're heading for a tory government aren't we

That said, I really think that the immigration amnesty is such a mixture of unpopularity and sensibleness, I am very impressed.

Did anyone catch that NC will be putting £700 back in our pockets or that GB will be keeping child tax credits? [sarcastic emoticon]

"God, I'm depressed. We're heading for a tory government aren't we"

Let's hope so.

Cameron did great, really pushed Clegg on immigration and Clegg firstly lied and then wouldn't come clean on how many people would be given the amnesty.

Not surprised DC won, It stuck me that the other 2 are out for power and have wooly policies based on dogma. This is a new kind ot tory party with a calm decent leader who does not attack the others but focuses on policies, Clegg is a good performer but this isn't X Factor its for real . His only real experience of life is on the gravy train in the EU where all they do is talk.He has a few ideas but somehow it seems that all they are is ideas- not much substance. I heard that the figures in the manifesto he keeps going on about were wrong because of some double counting. Not too good for someone who thinks they can sort out the economic mess we are in !

Beginning to feel sorry for GB - he just does not get it.

But Gaelic, Labour are the only one to give a two-week max waiting time for cancer referrals in their manifesto.

Molesworth - they're not doing well enough (for a Tory govt). The latest polls of the marginals just don't show the Tories doing what it would take.

Polls still indicating it will be a hung parliament.

gaelicsheep, the tories have refused to commit to the 2 week referral, 31 day treatment promise this Government introduced and are continuing to improve.

I had a similar scare many years ago, in the early 90's - a 3 month wait to see a cancer specialist.

With certain types of cancer, early detection is key to prognosis. That is the reason behind the targets, it saves lives.

I really hope you're right vesela