18:38 Preview Hype
The national evening news and local news are building this up as best they can. They can’t resist comparing the set to that of a gameshow. So far The Weakest Link and 15 to 1.
19:09 Mind the Farage
Nigel Farage of the UKIPs will be hoping for a better performance this evening than his appearance on Radio 4 this morning. He couldn’t decide if he wanted no cap on immigration or a target of 30,000 or a cap of 50,000.
According to the man himself he’s done no preparation for the debate tonight. Not sure if he’ll be allowed to bring a pint onto the set with him.
19:22 Green with Envy?
Any sort of performance from Natalie Bennet of the Green Party would be welcome. Will Green activists be wishing Caroline Lucas was actually their leader?
19:28
Nick Clegg was the outright winner of these debates last time out. What a difference 5 years can make though! Clegg, according to a recent poll is under threat of losing his own seat. Can he turn things around here and does anybody actually agree with him about anything anymore?
19:45 Goody Two Shoes
Apparently Ed Milliband has two pairs of shoes for tonight’s event. His advisors couldn’t decide which pair to get for him earlier so bought both. Following the “two kitchens” revelations maybe Ed just loves things being in twos. Perhaps he’s a big fan of Noah?
19:51 10 minute warning
Just 10 minutes to go and the atmosphere couldn’t be more tense. My wife can’t find her phone and she’s going out in a minute! As for the debates well, there’s now about 8 minutes to go.
19:57 From Salmond to Sturgeon
It’s a big night for Nicola Sturgeon for the SNP too. Her predecessor would have revelled in this tonight. Can she prove just as charismatic?
20:05 We’re off!!!
Natalie Bennett actually sounds naturally quite annoying doesn’t she? And hey what a surprise Nigel Farage heads straight to the immagration counter!
20:06 Clegg’s Mistakes
Nick Clegg has “made mistakes”. Something tells me he’ll likely pay for them in this election!
20:08 Leanne Wood
Oh look! It’s Leanne Wood. You know, Leanne… Leanne Wood. I think she’s from Wales isn’t she?
20:12 Milliband Slip
Ed Milliband looks nervous. Slipping slightly over his initial opening speech. Must do better!
20:13 Leanne Wood
The Welsh lady wants to put more funding into public services. I like her. What’s her name again?
20:15 Pintless
Nigel Farage looks undressed without a pint in his hand doesn’t he? YIKES!!! NIGEL FARAGE IS NAKED!!! LOOK AWAY!!! LOOK AWAY!!!
20:17 So far, so slow
This is all very civilised isn’t it? If it carries on like this I’ll be reaching for the Blue Nun!
20:22 Business has just picked up
Nicola Sturgeon has said “I back Ed on this.” Could this be the next “I agree with Nick”?
20:26 Here’s Johnny!!!
Everyone is fighting for Johnny’s attention right now. Look at his face just look at his little face!!!
20:28 Subliminal Messages
David Cameron’s podium is positioned on the far right. Is it a sign?
20:32 The Northern Ireland Question
There won’t be one as nobody from Northern Ireland has been invited. Only Eamonn Holmes seems to have noticed.
20:36 1st Question Done
I can’t see, based on the 1st question how anyone is going to be seen as winning this debate. It’s all a bit slow. It’s a bit gloves on and frankly a bit dull. Someone hand Nigel Farage a pint and see if he can provoke Nicola Sturgeon into a square go in the car park.
20:42 Never Forget
Cameron may never forget how the NHS helped his kids but he may forget his kids after a few drinks in the pub.
20:46 Health Tourism
I don’t think Health Tourism will catch on personally. Once you’ve seen one hospital you’ve seen them all really.
20:51 This hour’s dragged
No punches have really been landed here have they? This almost makes you want to see a return of Des O’Connor Tonight.
20:53 Northern Ireland
Nicola Sturgeon gives a shout out to Northern Ireland! Someone remembers. Eamonn Holmes can sleep easier tonight now.
20:56 SNP 2 The Rest 0
Nicola Sturgeon has got a laugh and a round of applause. Those tough stand-up gigs in Glasgow must be paying off. Stony silence elsewhere though. SNP winning and most of us watching can’t vote for them!
21:00 On the Attack
Ed Milliband clearly looking to attack David Cameron at every opportunity. Cameron’s refusal to debate one on one with him a tactical mistake in my view and Milliband making the most of it.
21:11 Damned lies, statistics and Farage
Farage blaming housing crisis on immigrants now. He seems to have forgotten his beloved Thatcher’s social housing sell off in the 80s.
21:19 Clegg Watch
Nobody has come out and said “I agree with nick yet” although Cameron has said that he has “made an important point”. If this was the cabinet Cameron would have ruffled his hair and fed him a biscuit.
21:28 Format
I think the public should have been given the opportunity to get rid of a few of the leaders by now. Maybe a trap-door underneath them. Couldn’t some of the Northern Irish Leaders made a brief appearance by satellite, or a cameo appearance as a plinth or something?
21:32 Tuition Fees
Nick Clegg has mentioned tuition fees. Sssssshhhh! I think he got away with it. Don’t mention the poor!
21:35 3-0 SNP
Another smattering of applause for Sturgeon. Scotland haven’t seen this sort of result on English soil since they stole the goalposts at Wembley!
21:39 CHAOS
In a total breakdown Clegg lands a blow on Milliband, who lands one on Cameron. It was like pass the blow out there for a minute. I almost put down the Blue Nun.
21:42 Score
If you’re keeping score it’s SNP 3, Liberal Democrats 1, Labour 1, The Rest 0.
20 minutes left and maybe this is going to lead to a barnstorming finish!
Maybe not.
21:47 HECKLER! HECKLER!
I just spilt the Blue Nun as a heckler gets stuck into David Cameron. Maybe there will be a late surge…
SNP 3, Labour 1, Liberal Democrats 1, Heckler 1, The Rest 0.
Vote Heckler!
21:49 Farage
Farage looks undressed without his usual tweed outfit. YIKES!!! FARAGE IS NAKED!!! FARAGE IS NAKED!!! LOOK AWAY!!! LOOK AWAY!!!
21:51 Late Rally
Cameron gets a round of applause too now landing a blow on Milliband with the Labour safe haven of zero hours contracts. Only putting him on terms with the heckler though.
21:53 Clegg
Clegg basically arguing for a vote to sit on the fence. In fairness he’s low on energy now. He’s gone 2 hours without Cameron feeding him a biscuit.
21:56 Northern Ireland
The Greens mention Northern Ireland now. Someone could at least point to it on a map or something. For Eamonn Holmes’ sake at least.
21:59 Farage
Farage the common man. Most common men are investment bankers and esablishment figures aren’t they?
22:01 That’s it!
The shaking hands at the end looked a bit awkward. Looked like that kind of forced politeness at a New Year party. At least they didn’t swap shirts. Nigel Farage looked undressed enough as it was.
22:20 Millsey’s Final Thought
Well, that was a bit flat really wasn’t it? If anything Nicola Sturgeon won for me, proving why Scotland will probably overun Labour up there. Not great for the rest of us who can’t vote SNP though. Cracking surprise entry from the heckler. I imagine she will have polled well! Clegg got the bounce at the last election debate but can’t see anyone having a similar result this time. Farage looked like he needed a drink. I’ve not seen someone look that pale and sweaty in politics since Charles Kennedy heard last orders called. Cameron in two TV election set pieces now hasn’t really cut it. He’s not done badly by any means but together with his reluctance on the debate front he’s not looked strong. Milliband, similarly hasn’t done badly but has probaly been made to look better, again because of Cameron’s dithering on the debates. I wonder what the Northern Irish think?
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