Leaders' Debate: What the papers say

The verdict? It is over for Gordon Brown...

Guardian

Gordon Brown last night appeared to have failed in his daunting mission to change the course of the general election during an ill-tempered leaders' debate in which he repeatedly rounded on David Cameron and warned that Conservative spending cuts would imperil the fragile recovery.

The prime minister's aggressive tone, however, did not destabilise Cameron, and his perceived negativity may have backfired with voters, who gave the debate to the Tory leader in all the instant polls.

Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrat leader, seemed to struggle to impose himself for the first time in the three TV debates, and was caught in a pincer movement over his party's policy on immigration. FULL STORY...

Telegraph

David Cameron delivered his most assured performance of the election campaign in the final televised leaders' debate as Gordon Brown admitted the Tory leader looks set to take power.

In his closing statement, the Prime Minister made a last-ditch plea to voters, acknowledging for the first time that Mr Cameron is on course to take the keys to Number 10.

He said: "I know that if things stay as they are, perhaps in eight days' time David Cameron, perhaps supported by Nick Clegg, would be in office.

"But I have the duty of telling you this evening that while we have policies for the future, the Conservatives would put the recovery immediately at risk with an emergency Budget." FULL STORY...

Independent

David Cameron emerged as the winner from the party leaders' final television debate last night despite a final "trust me" plea by Gordon Brown on the economy.

Three instant polls gave victory in the debate to the Tory leader but suggested that the Liberal Democrats are still big players in the election race by putting Nick Clegg in second place.

A fourth poll scored last night's debate as a draw between Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg. The Liberal Democrats declared they were now in a "two-horse race" with the Tories.

A ComRes survey for ITV News found the Tory leader was seen as the winner by 35%, with Mr Clegg on 33% and Mr Brown on 26%. FULL STORY...

Times

Gordon Brown failed to dent his rivals despite using a bruising final leaders' debate to warn that neither David Cameron nor Nick Clegg could be trusted with the economic recovery.
A snap Populus poll for The Times gave Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg a shared victory on the night, each with 38 per cent. Mr Brown, despite a combative performance in which he faced up to his disastrous gaffe the previous day, trailed in third on 25 per cent from a sample of 1,929 respondents.
The verdict on a debate chiefly devoted to the economy - Mr Brown's perceived strongest suit - leaves Labour's campaign in trouble with six days to go before the general election. FULL STORY...

Daily Mail

A combative David Cameron scored a vital win over Nick Clegg last night as he tore into Liberal Democrat policies on immigration, Europe and tax.

A week before election day, the Conservative leader raised his game in the last TV clash with his two rivals.

He landed blows on an exhausted-looking Gordon Brown over Labour's knighthood for disgraced banker Sir Fred Goodwin and his plans to hike National Insurance for everyone earning £20,000 or more. FULL STORY...