It was a first for British politics.

But was the first televised leader’s debate a game changer or damp squib? And who came out ahead?

As the analysis continues and the instant polls suggest that Nick Clegg was the winner, our political editor Paul Francis spoke to representatives of the three main parties to get their views on the 90-minute debate and gives his verdict on the big event.

But do you agree with their assessments? What was your verdict? Let us know.

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Damian Green, shadow immigration minister and parliamentary candidate for Ashford:

"David Cameron looked more Prime Ministerial than the other two.

"The most interesting poll has been the one in The Sun which asked who people thought would make the best leader of the country and Cameron won that quite convincingly."

"Clearly, Nick Clegg did have the benefit of being fresh and nobody really knew who he was so I am not surprised people thought he did well.

"As the election approaches, in the end people will ask who is going to make the best Prime Minister.

"I thought Brown was very aggressive and we saw the bullying side of him which is not very Prime Ministerial."

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Peter Carroll, Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Maidstone and The Weald:

"It was a case of ‘cometh the hour, cometh the man’. For many years, we have had the problem of getting the same massive exposure as the other main parties and we are now getting that opportunity.

"I think Clegg’s performance will lift people and give them confidence that we are a sound party with sound ideas.

"I thought Cameron was very weak, particularly on the economy and seemed to feel threatened.

"I think Clegg’s showing will mean people looking at us and saying there’s no reason why we should not win."

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Jonathan Shaw, Labour minister for the south east and candidate in Chatham and Aylesford:

"People appreciate that this type of set piece event is not where Gordon Brown is likely to come out top.

"But he did well, given that this is not his natural comfort zone and everyboy knows that. In terms of substance and in terms of being able to make the right decisions, he was good.

"Nick Clegg’s presentation was very good and David Cameron was slick – he was desperate to mention how his children were going to a state school."

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Paul Francis, KMG Political Editor:

"It might not have been a game changer and the three protagonists managed gaffe-free performances but there’s no doubt Nick Clegg edged the first of the three debates.

"True, he had the advantage of being a relatively fresh face but he turned in a cleverly pitched performance.

"He was fortunate that Brown and Cameron were side by side – it meant he was able to lump them together and castigate both at the same time.

"He remembered peoples’ names, at the end, too – a small point but very clever."

"Cameron struck me as uncharacteristically nervous at times and overly sombre.

"Brown was just about OK but his attempt at a couple of jokes were clunking.

"It’s not an environment in which he excels and it did show. One nil to Clegg."

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