I must confess to being nervous before hand last night as I settled down with colleagues to watch the live debate between the 3 party leaders.

However, I believe Nick outshone Brown and Cameron, putting our case well, getting our message across and frankly exposing Cameron’s shallow, cosmetic Conservative policy position.

From where I sat Brown did better than many probably expected, whilst Cameron looked the most nervous and lost every spat with Clegg and Brown.

Well before the end it was clear that it was Nick Cleggs night, by the end I had forgoten how many times Cameron and Brown had said “I agree with Nick”. 

Of course it was just one debate, but it did give the Lib Dems the (equal) coverage we deserve and it was interesting to see the three leaders away from the kindergarten atmosphere of the House of Commons and in an environment where they had to deal with public questions and then face challenges from the other two. Excellent format.

Nick responded with clarity and substance, confidence and assurance.  Well done Nick! 

But don’t take my word for it read what the experts have been saying today:  

“Mr Clegg took his chance. He used the biggest opportunity ever given to the third party in British politics to give a virtuoso performance. It was his night.” (Times)

Leaders’ Debate Polls

• YouGov instant reaction: Nick Clegg: 51%, David Cameron: 29%, Gordon Brown: 19%, Don’t Know: 2 %

• ITN poll: Nick: 43%, Cameron: 26%, Brown: 20%

• Populus (Times): Nick: 61%, Cameron: 22%, Brown: 17%

The first Leaders’ debate took place yesterday and Nick won.BBC Political Editor Nick Robinson said the biggest impact of the contest will be the insertion of Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats into the nation’s consciousness but nothing the other leaders said had fundamentally altered the general election debate. The abiding memory of the contest could be “the other leaders saying ‘I agree with Nick,” he added.

Vince Cable: “What matters is not what the commentators and spin-doctors think, it’s what the public think, all the indications we’re getting is that the public really liked Nick Clegg, he seems to have come out well ahead.”

Leader Debate Front Pages

• The Guardian reports that Nick Clegg came out on top of the long-awaited TV leaders’ debate. The paper says he won the argument with his pitch that he represented change from the other two parties’ “combined record of failure”. (Clegg the outsider seizes his moment in the TV spotlight)

• The Telegraph reports that Mr Clegg was able to exploit his equal billing to score points off Gordon Brown and David Cameron, reports the Daily Telegraph. Mr Brown decided to attack Mr Cameron rather than outline his future vision for Britain, the paper says. (Clegg’s star rises in great TV showdown).
• The Independent claims that Nick Clegg eclipsed Gordon Brown and David Cameron in the first leaders’ debate (Clegg comes of age).
• The Times also hails the performance of Nick (Enter the Outsider).
• The Mirror comes out in favour of Mr Clegg, although the paper says Mr Cameron was the clear loser. (It’s a man vs boys).

Clegg: “Don’t let anyone tell you the only choice is old politics, we can do something new, we can do something different this time. That’s what I’m about, that’s what The Liberal Democrats offer.”