Third party leader wins first British poll debate: snap survey
AFP
LONDON- Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg emerged as the clear winner Thursday of a first-ever pre-election debate in Britain ahead of ballots next month, according to an instant poll.
Clegg, whose party could emerge as a kingmaker if the May 6 poll produces a hung parliament, was deemed the winner by 43 percent in the poll of 4,000 people conducted by the ITV broadcaster, which hosted the 90-minute debate.
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)
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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