As the last big TV debate before polling day, this was always going to be an interesting one, albeit only with the PM, Miliband and Clegg.
I'd naturally assumed (wrongly) that a northern audience might be naturally more labour. I know the audience was supposed to be picked as equal percentages on their political views, but Miliband certainly seemed to get the toughest time.
To me he didn't come over as convincing, and some of the answers left me speechless. Did he concede that the previous Labour government had overspent? No 
Then lots of reinforcement talk of how they built new hospitals, schools etc etc, but you could tell it went down like a lead balloon. He started off by saying Labour got it wrong with the banks, which is a good tactic, but he's said that quite often throughout the campaign, trying to distance current labour from old (new) labour.
The bit I was baffled though was his response to the hung parliament question. He's not interested in a coalition, to the point he would refuse to form a government if it meant having to share power with the SNP or another party. It's basically 100% his manifesto, or no Labour government. There would be no compromise.
A brave stance, but sounds more like a high risk political gamble. The stumble off the podium at the end summed it up for me, as he seemed desperate to get out of there.
The highlight for me was the business woman who was furious about the outgoing Labour administration leaving a note in the treasury saying "sorry, no money left". She said if you did that in the corporate world, you would be sacked and never work again.
By contrast, Cameron seemed much more relaxed with the audience, and it may be a political prop as suggested by Miliband, but he was carrying the famous "no money left" note in his pocket which was a very powerful signal.
He seemed to come over less smarmy than he has done previously IMHO, so I'm guessing he has had a full PR make over 
He also got a rough ride, but seemed to handle it better. The standard line about "inheriting this mess from the last govt" started to wear a bit thin, and he wasn't very convincing about the ridiculous need to enact a law to keep taxes down.
Nick Clegg got both barrels as soon as he walked on stage about his infamous tuition fee promise from 2010, which he tried to deflect by concentrating on the positives the Liberals have brought as a coalition partner.
But it was interesting listening to the other two who are desperate to win a majority whilst Clegg simply conceded it will never happen for the Liberals and his was the party to join a coalition and steady the ship.
Did watch him thinking this will probably be the last time we see the Liberals for a while as the 3rd party. Maybe next Elections debate will see the SNP there?
Anyone else watch it, any thoughts?
