Gentle jousting!

Last night the leader's of the three main parties had the first ever debate between those considered most likely to be Prime Minister following the election. It attracted an audience of nearly ten million, and is perhaps indicative that the dissatisfaction with politics and politicians, has increased interest. Maybe, these debates are what will save the 2010 General Election from becoming a debacle.

It seems to be generally agreed that Nick Clegg of the Liberal Democrats came top, but in reality he would have had to perform terribly not to. This isn't to say David Cameron and Gordon Brown did especially badly, but the public are less familiar with Clegg and the Lib Dem arguments. Therefore, they were always bound to give the impression of freshness.

But, they were the old third party arguments being put forward. The old parties have failed, we are the only ones who can really bring new politics to Britain, only we will tell it like it is! This is rubbish, like the Conservative and Labour Parties, the Lib Dems have put forward a programme for government. There are no new ideas, no radical costings, or more honesty on where the cuts will be made.

Nick Clegg came top because he won the 'beauty contest.' He looked younger even than Cameron, brought on by unfamiliarity. He does have style, and he did do well, coming across as confident and in control. But, it is enhanced by the public not really knowing that much about him before last night. The acid test comes next Friday, when we see if he can repeat his performance, and carry forward some momentum. If he can, then will be the time to take him seriously!

David Cameron always had the most difficult job to do. He is the one most expected to be Prime Minister come May 7th if any party is to achieve an overall majority. The first shots weren't promising, as the camera moved in on the leaders he seemed to be standing like a tailor's dummy, and this was enhanced by his high tan. But he did start confidently, and came across as a reasonable man. He does seem to care about, and believe in what he is saying. However, this is not enough, and substance needs to come across too.

There were a number of occasions when he allowed himself to be cornered by Gordon Brown and Nick Clegg. As the Prime Minister said to him, 'this is not question time, this is answers time.' I expect Mr Cameron did have answers for the points put to him, but as with the final PMQ's, he seemed to freeze under the weight of expectation.

The big problem for David Cameron and the Conservatives, is they've been portrayed as the next government of Britain for the last two and a half years. This is a heavy burden to carry, and they have tried to put together a programme that will appeal to the public. But, a seemingly exciting manifesto is filled with all sorts of promises, that people wonder how they can be afforded. The Conservatives have been saying the main priority is the deficit, but he said very little about that. It was on potential spending commitments where he fell down, as he appeared unwilling to make commitments, which made him seem evasive, when he was under pressure.

I will be writing a profile of Cameron in the final week of the campaign, so won't give an overall impression of him here. I will just say that last night he did not perform as well as we, or I'm sure he, expected. I expect him to do better next week, if he doesn't, it may well deal a death blow to his chances of being the next Conservative Prime Minister.

Gordon Brown was cleverly portrayed as the underdog going into the first debate. But nobody was really surprised by how it unfolded. The Tories are spinning that he crashed and burned, but they are well aware that is is untrue. When it came to detail, he was easily the best briefed, but he has the same sort of problem that Mrs Thatcher had, in that people don't particularly warm to him.

The British people and the political system however, are rightly suspicious of beauty contest winners. They also look for more substance in their leaders, which, as much as it pains me to say it, they have possibly learned their lesson following Tony Blair. Although Mr Blair had many great qualities, he was more style than anything else. Gordon brown is all substance, he lacks the charisma of a Cameron or even a Clegg, and his rather dour expressions do not help.

Last night he seemed to decide it was pointless trying to play the media game, as whenever he does, it doesn't seem to work. Therefore, he stuck to his strengths, stuck firmly to the messages he has put forward for the last year or so, and made his policies the centre of his answers. He did ask tough questions of David Cameron a couple of times, and did manage to corner him on police numbers, and where the money was to come from. Whether these helped or hindered him is difficult to tell.

Many of the post-debate polls put the Prime Minister in third place, though the Sky viewers gave him a slight edge over David Cameron. This seemed to be more down to who he is, rather than what he said, and it will be interesting to see if any of the pollsters ask what people can remember about what was actually said over the weekend, and next week. The Liberal Democrats have received the expected bounce in the one poll released tonight, and moved into second place. They made a slightly deeper impression in the Tory score, but it could really just be an indication of the public's unhappiness with the main parties, than a real enthusiasm for the Liberal Democrats.

So was last night's, and the subsequent debates, worthwhile. I believe It was, in that it was a less contentious arena, and the leaders were forced to try and really explain what they would do. Indeed, having three will allow each to demonstrate different strengths, and weaknesses.

Can Nick Clegg maintain his higher profile, and win over more supporters? Perhaps the debates will prove the most convincing case for reform of the voting system, because the Liberal Democrats could greatly increase their vote, but still finish way behind the others in seats. In my opinion, he will improve the LD's support, but the bounce will be short-lived, as he now has expectations to live up to, that will be difficult to achieve.

David Cameron's job is more difficult. he is expected to win, and therefore has a lot to live up to. He is a bright and young, and seems full of energy and ideas. He needed to project himself, but after a confident start, appeared to shrink under the expectations. As said earlier, he will be better next week, having been through the mill once, and will probably give a performance more like that expected.

Gordon Brown played safe, and to his strengths. He would have liked to have scored better, but I think he was playing the long game. Next week's debate on froeign policy could well be difficult for him, but the final one on the economy should be his for the taking. He played on his experience last night, and although Mr Cameron did get in a couple of good digs regarding what should possibly have been done previously, the PM was able to shrug them off. Detail is the Prime Minister's strength, not soundbites, although he was the one able to get the most laughs, and I expect him to continue that tactic.

As a final word, it would have been better if the audience could have got involved, challenging each of them on what they said. Question Time is popular for a reason, and that sort of format would have probably have generated more interesting clashes between the leaders. This was more like the leaders trstign each other out, to see where they thought they could gain an advantage, and was more like a gentle spar than a gladiotorial contest.

I will give my opinions on the second debate this time next week.