Prime Minister Gordon Brown (left), Conservative opposition leader David Cameron, and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg are seen preparing for the live television debate, in the ITV studios in Manchester. (AFP/ITV/Ken McKay)
Main Conservative opposition leader David Cameron scored 26 percent, while Prime Minister Gordon Brown was thought to have won by 20 percent of those asked. Eleven percent said none of the three emerged as clear winner.
The three leaders repeatedly clashed on issues ranging from immigration to nuclear weapons and Afghanistan in the debate, the first ever such live TV debate in Britain, and the first of three ahead of the election.
The Conservatives are battling to oust Brown's Labour party after 13 years in office, but their long-standing double-digit opinion poll lead has narrowed sharply in recent weeks, to as little as two points.
The Liberal Democrats lag substantially behind the two main parties, but could play a key role if neither Labour nor the Tories can command a majority in the 650-seat parliament following the election.
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The three leaders repeatedly clashed on issues ranging from immigration to nuclear weapons and Afghanistan in the debate, the first ever such live TV debate in Britain, and the first of three ahead of the election.
The Conservatives are battling to oust Brown's Labour party after 13 years in office, but their long-standing double-digit opinion poll lead has narrowed sharply in recent weeks, to as little as two points.
The Liberal Democrats lag substantially behind the two main parties, but could play a key role if neither Labour nor the Tories can command a majority in the 650-seat parliament following the election.
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