Everything that has been said about the debate is really encouraging for old-guard Libs (Lib Dems) like me, who first voted for the Libs in 1974 (and took a lot of stick from my flat-mates for not voting Labour). But don’t get too excited yet. Although Clegg clearly did best of the three in the first debate, if only by becoming visible in the media and forcing papers like the Sun to acknowledge he is there, don’t forget it was only the first one: there are two debates to go. It is going to be very interesting to see how the other two leaders play these. They could either cosy up, reckoning that there could be a hung parliament and they would need help, or (and I think this is more likely) they could go after him really hard like the old-fashioned politicians they both are. Don’t forget that Cameron was a back room boy for Major’s unexpected triumph in 1992, and knows how to land a hard punch. If Cameron cosies up too much to Clegg, then he runs the risk of losing more support to UKIP than he would wish. If Brown goes too far the same way, then will his supporters turn out? They’ll need to create clear blue/red water between themselves and the LDs. I think that Nick Clegg has everything to play for in the next two weeks, but it is going to be a much harder game than it was last night.
