Polls give Dave and Ed a tie but Nicola nicks top spot
Meanwhile new YouGov poll gives Tories 37% - the vote share they achieved at the 2010 election
Their night out in Salford has left David Cameron and Ed Miliband without a hangover, Don Brind reports. They did all right in the post-debate polls.
There were four instant polls and in one Miliband is a point ahead of Cameron. In two others they are tied but in the fourth the standout performer was Nicola Sturgeon: her 28 per cent in the YouGov poll was the highest figure scored by any of the seven party leaders.
ICM: Miliband 25, Cameron 24, Farage 19, Sturgeon 17, Clegg 9, Bennett 3, Wood 2.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Survation: Cameron 25, Miliband 25, Farage 24, Sturgeon 15, Clegg 6, Bennett 3, Wood 2.
ComRes: Farage 21, Cameron 21, Miliband 21, Sturgeon 20, Clegg 9, Bennett 5, Wood 2.
YouGov: Sturgeon 28, Farage 20, Cameron 18, Miliband 15, Clegg 10, Bennett 5, Wood 4.
So, Nick Clegg, the star of the 2010 leader debates, came fifth in each of the polls - a position his party is desperately seeking to avoid in the election proper.
He was separated from his coalition partner David Cameron by five podiums but made a point of being tough on the PM: according to Paddy Ashdown in the “spin room” afterwards this was putting in the public arena the tough talking that had been going on behind closed coalition doors for the past five years.
Given the talk of a post-election pact between Labour and the SNP, it was striking that their leader Nicola Sturgeon was at pains to argue a UK-wide case. The Independent’s Steve Richards described her as “persuasive and authoritative “ as she put “the Keynesian case for higher spending”.
In polling done before the debate, the Tories reached a milestone. The latest YouGov poll puts them on 37 per cent - the national vote share they achieved at the 2010 general election.
The bad news for Cameron is that over that period Labour have moved from 29 to 35 per cent. Con 37 (up 1), Lab 35 (up 1), Lib Dems 7 (down 1), Ukip 12 (down 1), Greens 5 (up 1).
That means there’s been swing from Conservative to Labour of three per cent since 2010, enough to give Miliband significant gains in English marginals on 7 May.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
How the Russia-Ukraine conflict has spread to Africa
The Explainer Ukraine is attempting to strengthen its alliances on the continent to counter Russia's growing presence
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
A history of Guantánamo Bay
The Explainer War of Terror's 'symbol of torture, rendition and indefinite detention' is subject of new Serial podcast series
By The Week UK Published
-
5 fun Easter activities from The Week Junior
The Week Junior Easter Activities Looking for some fun, simple Easter activities to do with the kids? Look no further – The Week Junior has you covered with these five fun and family-friendly activities.
By The Week UK Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Can Cameron put the Falklands sovereignty dispute to bed?
Today's Big Question Foreign secretary says issue 'not up for discussion' ahead of visit amid renewed push from Argentina
By The Week UK Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will America recognize a Palestinian state?
Today's Big Question Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu opposes the move. Some see it as the only route to peace.
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Fasting to burger buffets: the weird and wonderful diets of politicians
Why Everyone's Talking About Rishi Sunak reportedly starts his week with a 36-hour fast
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak and the right-wing press: heading for divorce?
Talking Point The Telegraph launches 'assault' on PM just as many Tory MPs are contemplating losing their seats
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published