Liberal Democrats make massive gain in polls after election debate
Liberal Demcrat leader Nick Clegg made a good impression on the audience of last night's leaders' debate
Friday, 16, Apr 2010 06:02
By Emer Martin.
The latest opinion poll of voting intentions has confirmed the Liberal Democrats have made a huge leap in gaining voters' confidence after last night's televised debate between the leaders of the three main political parties.
There has been much anticipation about effects of the leaders' debate on voter intentions. The ITV/ComRes poll of 4,000 people's voting intentions put Lib Dem support at 35 per cent, up 14 per cent compared to before the televised debate.
Both Labour and Conservatives were down by three per cent compared to previously. But the Conservatives were at 36 per cent, still one per cent above the Lib Dems, with Labour finishing last at 24 per cent.
As-it-happened: The first election debate
Comment: I agree with Nick
Speaking to BBC Manchester, Mr Cameron admitted that the Lib Dem leader had done "well" in the debate. Mr Brown has said he was glad that the debate has "energised" the election process but declined to say how he thought he fared.
In another poll of 4,032 voters, carried out by ComRes for ITV News immediately after the debate, Mr Clegg was rated the victor.
He gained 17 per cent more votes than Mr Cameron who had 26 per cent of the vote. Only a fifth of the people asked said Mr Brown had come out on top.