This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8621119.stm

The article has changed 36 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 27 Version 28
Leaders clash in historic debate Leaders clash in historic debate
(30 minutes later)
Gordon Brown and David Cameron have clashed over spending cuts, tax and political reform in the first prime ministerial TV debate in the UK.Gordon Brown and David Cameron have clashed over spending cuts, tax and political reform in the first prime ministerial TV debate in the UK.
The Labour leader went on the attack against Mr Cameron during the historic 90 minute clash saying he wanted to "airbrush" planned spending cuts. The Labour leader went on the attack against Mr Cameron during the historic 90 minute encounter saying he wanted to "airbrush" planned spending cuts.
The Tory leader accused Mr Brown of trying to "frighten" voters.The Tory leader accused Mr Brown of trying to "frighten" voters.
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said neither of them were being "straight" with voters about the scale of cuts needed.Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said neither of them were being "straight" with voters about the scale of cuts needed.
BBC Political Editor Nick Robinson said the big question, at the end of the debate, was whether any of the men had "broken through the wall of cynicism" many voters felt. 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.
He said Mr Cameron soaked up Mr Brown's attacks and tried to look reasonable, but the big winner might have been Mr Clegg, with the abiding memory of the 90 minute clash being "the two other leaders saying we agree with Nick". The abiding memory of the contest could be "the other leaders saying 'I agree with Nick," he added.
The debate on ITV1 was the first of three over the coming weeks.The debate on ITV1 was the first of three over the coming weeks.
TV DEBATES COVERAGE In pictures: Historic debate At-a-glance: The key moments Q&A: The TV debate rules The 46-year wait for clash TV DEBATES COVERAGE href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8623976.stm">Analysis: Doubters defied class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8623878.stm">In pictures: Historic debate class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8623707.stm">In quotes: Reaction to debate At-a-glance: The key moments Q&A: The TV debate rules The 46-year wait for clash
The debate was more measured and detailed than when the three men clash in the House of Commons, with the occasional flash of anger or irritation.The debate was more measured and detailed than when the three men clash in the House of Commons, with the occasional flash of anger or irritation.
The audience sat in silence as they addressed questions ranging across the domestic scene, from health and education to tax and spending.The audience sat in silence as they addressed questions ranging across the domestic scene, from health and education to tax and spending.
On the expenses scandal, Mr Brown said he was "shocked" and "sickened" by the revelations.On the expenses scandal, Mr Brown said he was "shocked" and "sickened" by the revelations.
"Nobody should be standing for election at this election who is guilty of the offences that we have seen," he added."Nobody should be standing for election at this election who is guilty of the offences that we have seen," he added.
Expenses
Mr Cameron described the expenses scandal as a "horrendous episode", saying people "don't pay their taxes for MPs to abuse the system".Mr Cameron described the expenses scandal as a "horrendous episode", saying people "don't pay their taxes for MPs to abuse the system".
Expenses
He vowed cut the number of MPs by 10%, slash ministerial pay by 5%, reduce the size of Whitehall by a third and bring in a recall system to allow voters to sack their MP.He vowed cut the number of MPs by 10%, slash ministerial pay by 5%, reduce the size of Whitehall by a third and bring in a recall system to allow voters to sack their MP.
But Mr Clegg criticised his counterparts for failing to take action, claiming Liberal Democrat plans for recall powers and reform of party funding had been blocked by the other parties.But Mr Clegg criticised his counterparts for failing to take action, claiming Liberal Democrat plans for recall powers and reform of party funding had been blocked by the other parties.
Addressing his counterparts directly, Mr Clegg said: "You blocked it. You (Mr Brown) wanted to protect your union paymasters and you (Mr Cameron) wanted to protect Lord Ashcroft in Belize."Addressing his counterparts directly, Mr Clegg said: "You blocked it. You (Mr Brown) wanted to protect your union paymasters and you (Mr Cameron) wanted to protect Lord Ashcroft in Belize."
But Mr Cameron accused Mr Clegg of taking a "holier than thou" approach on parliamentary standards, reminding him that the Lib Dems had taken £2.5m from a man who later went on the run from police.But Mr Cameron accused Mr Clegg of taking a "holier than thou" approach on parliamentary standards, reminding him that the Lib Dems had taken £2.5m from a man who later went on the run from police.
Mr Clegg said that was "years ago" and his party had been cleared by the Electoral Commission.Mr Clegg said that was "years ago" and his party had been cleared by the Electoral Commission.
On several issues, including immigration and cleaning up politics, Mr Brown appeared to be seeking the approval of the Lib Dem leader, asserting that Mr Clegg agreed with him.On several issues, including immigration and cleaning up politics, Mr Brown appeared to be seeking the approval of the Lib Dem leader, asserting that Mr Clegg agreed with him.
But Mr Clegg replied that he was "absolutely dismayed" at the Labour leader trying to make a show of unity over voting reform after opposing it during his time in power.But Mr Clegg replied that he was "absolutely dismayed" at the Labour leader trying to make a show of unity over voting reform after opposing it during his time in power.
'False choice''False choice'
The Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru will not take part in the debate, although the BBC is to hold separate leaders debates in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru are not taking part in the debates, although the BBC is to hold separate leaders debates in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
SNP leader and Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond told the BBC: "There are actually four countries in the United Kingdom not one - and the other three countries feel a bit miffed about this." Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said: "In what was a very sterile debate, not once did we hear the word Wales mentioned by any of the leaders. Indeed much of what they said was irrelevant to our communities."
And Plaid Cymru's leader Ieuan Wyn Jones told the BBC many issues that would be debated had been devolved to Scotland and Wales. He adds: "The people of Wales and Scotland were ignored tonight - but let me assure you that they won't be ignored by Plaid Cymru."
"It doesn't reflect well on the broadcasters that they haven't recognised that the politics of the United Kingdom is now entirely different to how it was 10 years ago with devolution," he said.
The nation's verdict will come not from the pundits and the commentators, but in the days to come Read Nick Robinson's blog Your reaction to TV debateThe nation's verdict will come not from the pundits and the commentators, but in the days to come Read Nick Robinson's blog Your reaction to TV debate
SNP Leader Alex Salmond said: "Over half the debate should have been captioned 'Except for viewers in Scotland'.
"It was billed as a historic event but we got was three Westminster politicians looking the same, sounding the same and saying nothing of relevance to Scotland."
UK Independence Party MEP Godfrey Bloom said Mr Brown "did not show any concern for the biggest deficit in the nation's history".
The debates are bound by more than 70 rules agreed after weeks of negotiations between the parties and the broadcasters.The debates are bound by more than 70 rules agreed after weeks of negotiations between the parties and the broadcasters.
Before the questions begin, the leaders will be allowed to make a one-minute opening address, and a 90-second closing statement at the end of the show. The audience were asked to applaud at the start and end of the programmes, but are not allowed to respond to leaders' answers, with questions being put to the leaders by the presenter.
The audience will be asked to applaud at the start and end of the programmes, and will not be able to respond to leaders' answers, not ask questions directly - they will be put to the leaders by the presenter.
Most of the 200-strong audience in each debate will be picked by pollsters ICM from the local area to ensure a balance of gender, age, ethnicity, social class and voting intention.Most of the 200-strong audience in each debate will be picked by pollsters ICM from the local area to ensure a balance of gender, age, ethnicity, social class and voting intention.
Sky News will be showing the second debate on Thursday, 22 April, which will look at foreign affairs. The final debate on BBC One on Thursday, 29 April will focus on the economy.Sky News will be showing the second debate on Thursday, 22 April, which will look at foreign affairs. The final debate on BBC One on Thursday, 29 April will focus on the economy.
The First Election Debate programme is on ITV1 on Thursday, 15 April, starting at 2030 BST. In Scotland it will be shown on STV, and on UTV in Northern Ireland. You can listen to it live on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 5 Live.