Tonight at 8 o'clock on BBC One - Challenger's Debate (last one of the campaign)

[-:Undertaker:-]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-32328664

Challenger's Debate

Tonight at 8 o'clock on BBC One the leaders of Labour, Ukip, Greens, the SNP and Plaid will take part in the last debate of the campaign

David Dimbleby is hosting tonight's debate on BBC One and BBC News

The leaders of five of Westminster's opposition parties are due to appear in a live election debate later.

Labour leader Ed Miliband, UKIP's Nigel Farage, SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, Leanne Wood of Plaid Cymru and the Greens' Natalie Bennett will take part.

The BBC contest, hosted by David Dimbleby from central London, begins at 20:00 BST.

Looking ahead to the debate, Mr Farage said people had "underestimated" Mr Miliband.

He added: "What he has shown in this campaign is he is no fool and he is pretty tough, and if I am going to score points off him... I will have to be good to do it."

The BBC debate, which follows the launch of the parties' election manifestos, is the latest in the schedule of election programmes agreed after months of wrangling between the parties and the broadcasters.

Prime Minister David Cameron and Lib Dem Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg will not be taking part.

The lineup

*The BBC debate will be shown on BBC One and online on the BBC's election live page at 20:00 BST on Thursday. It will be followed at 21:30 BST by a half-hour analysis programme featuring reaction from the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and the DUP.

There will also be an Debate edition of BBC Question Time from London afterwards featuring Conservative party chairman Grant Shapps, Labour's shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper, SNP leader at Westminster Angus Robertson, Liberal Democrat business minister Jo Swinson, UKIP's Douglas Carswell and journalist and broadcaster Piers Morgan.

I'll be watching. Apparently pollster Survation are confirmed for taking a post-debate poll.

Thoughts? Who do you think will win in public opinion?

[Kardan]

I reckon it'll be a 'Gang up on Ed' night considering he's the only main party there. Wouldn't surprise me if SNP and UKIP do well again. Also wouldn't be surprised to be stared to death by Miliband down the camera either.

[FlyingJesus]

Whoever made that lineup picture should be shot lmao

I won't watch it I'll be playing football at the time much more important but personally I think it would be hilarious if they just sat around having tea and talking about how much they hate Cameron and Clegg just because they aren't there

[-:Undertaker:-]

So much for a snap poll of who won the debate by Survation, it only just came out: 45 minutes later.

Miliband - 35%
Sturgeon - 31%
Farage - 27%
Bennett - 5%
Wood - 2%

[scottish]

Good old Miliband

[-:Undertaker:-]

Here's a breakdown of that poll on substance, style and the issues.

Who would make best Prime Minister? (Survation):

Miliband - 43%
Farage - 26%
Sturgeon - 25%
Bennett - 3%
Wood - 3%

Most convincing arguments? (#BBCdebate snap poll | Survation):

Farage - 31%
Miliband - 31%
Sturgeon -24%
Bennett - 10%
Wood - 4%

Who has most appealing personality? (Survation):

Sturgeon - 30%
Farage - 23%
Miliband - 21%
Wood - 16%
Bennett - 9%

Best on immigration? (#BBCdebate snap poll | Survation):

Farage - 53%
Miliband - 18%
Sturgeon - 13%
Bennett - 10%
Wood - 6%

Best on national debt and deficit? (#BBCdebate snap poll | Survation):

Miliband - 40%
Farage - 30%
Sturgeon - 18%
Bennett - 8%
Wood - 4%

Best on NHS? (#BBCdebate snap poll | Survation):

Miliband - 40%
Farage - 28%
Sturgeon - 15%
Bennett - 9%
Wood - 7%

Best on defence? (#BBCdebate snap poll | Survation):

Farage - 37%
Miliband - 35%
Sturgeon - 16%
Bennett - 9%
Wood - 3%

Best on housing? (#BBCdebate snap poll | Survation):

Miliband - 36%
Farage - 26%
Sturgeon - 17%
Bennett - 15%
Wood - 7%

Cameron v Miliband, who would you prefer? (#BBCdebate snap poll | Survation):

Miliband - 45%
Cameron - 40%

[AgnesIO]

Seemed like a fairly anti-UKIP audience, to be honest. Also noticed at the end when Sturgeon, Wood, Bennett and Miliband went over to the audience, Farage appeared to just walk off. Having said that, as I say, the audience wasn't exactly in favour of UKIP!

[-:Undertaker:-]

Seemed like a fairly anti-UKIP audience, to be honest. Also noticed at the end when Sturgeon, Wood, Bennett and Miliband went over to the audience, Farage appeared to just walk off. Having said that, as I say, the audience wasn't exactly in favour of UKIP!

A Beeb-selected audience so no surprise there. I noticed that too though at the end.

Symbolic of the real divide if you ask me.

[AgnesIO]

A Beeb-selected audience so no surprise there. I noticed that too though at the end.

Symbolic of the real divide if you ask me.

I also noticed the divide there :L The thing is, they are all clamoring for a coalition with Ed (not that the Greens or Plaid Cymru stand a chance...).

I imagine Farage was probably pretty frustrated by the obvious bias against UKIP in the audience (obviously that doesn't bother me, but trying to be fair, here!).

[The Don]

Haven't had a chance to watch it yet but looks like Miliband smashed it!