Leaders' Debate proved stumbling Ed Miliband is real loser, blasts LEO MCKINSTRY
IT WAS widely predicted that the Leaders' Debate would be messy, and so it proved.
The format was not conducive to informative discussion or a clear-cut outcome.
Throughout the often fractious event, the leaders indulged in rehearsed soundbites, dodgy statistics and hollow bombast.
Yet for all its flaws, the debate served as a useful exercise in clarifying issues and the stature of the leaders.
What resoundingly emerged is that the four Left-wing parties, led by Labour, do not have any serious plan for running Britain's economy.
All they could do was wail about the Coalition cuts, and pretend that our country can tax, borrow and spend our way to some kind of socialistic Utopia.
As Nigel Farage of Ukip rightly said in a moment of exasperation: "Let's get real here."
But it was David Cameron who came across best on the economy, setting out the Coalition's excellent record on job creation and tax reduction.
Indeed it was a good night for Cameron.
He dominated proceedings with the same easy command that he brings to his performances in the Commons.
He effectively defused the issue of the NHS, where the Tories are often seen as vulnerable, by highlighting his own experiences as the father of a severely disabled child and by referring to Labour's poor record in the running the service.
He looked particularly uncomfortable when Cameron accused him of seeking to "weaponise the NHS"
Farage, a superb natural debater, was his ebullient, eloquent self. He was the only leader willing to talk in robust language about immigration, health tourism and our country's identity, while he also made some powerful attacks on Cameron for failing to reduce the deficit.
Nick Clegg tried to pose as the potential kingmaker but his complaints about the Tories' reeked of desperation and hypocrisy, given that he has worked with them for five years.
Of the minor parties, Nicola Sturgeon of the SNP was easily the best, and will be a formidable player in the post-election landscape.
Leanne Wood of Plaid Cymru just peddled an insular, miserablist agenda.
By far the weakest link was Natalie Bennett of the Greens, whose vacuous absurdities just reiterated how far her party is detached from reality.
The biggest loser, however, was perhaps Ed Miliband.
After a stumble in his opening statement, he looked particularly uncomfortable when Cameron accused him of seeking to "weaponise the NHS".
He was also battered by the Left-wing parties for failing to challenge the Coalition's austerity programme.
The debates were well-chaired by Julie Etchingham.
But it is doubtful that the two hours will have brought any big change in the campaign narrative, except to reinforce the Tories' momentum.
