OUR GIRL DONE GOOD....

Some Early Thoughts

THREE-WAY TIE, says ComRes

Cameron 21%
Miliband 21%
Farage 21%
Sturgeon 20%
Clegg 9%
Bennett 5%
Wood 2%

STURGEON WINS DEBATE, says YouGov

Sturgeon 28%
Farage 20%
Cameron 18%
Miliband 15%
Clegg 10%
Bennett: 5%

"The SNP gained 1,200 new members during the leaders’ debate, which reflects the energy & optimism boosting our election campaign."

Telegraph commentators give their view

 James Kirkup

David Cameron will be much happier with this week's debate than with his Paxman ordeal last week. Yes, he came under attack from both left and right: Nicola Sturgeon was the sharpest opponent of austerity, while Nigel Farage's attacks on the national debt will appeal to old-fashioned Tories. But the Conservative leader overcame some opening nerves to stick to his plan: rise above it and look like the only viable prime minister in a crowd of political pygmies.

But was he head and shoulders above his only real rival? Ed Miliband had a decent night and attempted his own statesman act, also trying to rise above the fray and invite comparison with Mr Cameron. He even attempted to patronise the lordly Tory leader, quoting Ronald Reagan at him: There you go again. Tories believe Mr Miliband is a weakling who repels voters. This performance won't dramatically improve the Labour leader's image, but it does suggest that he does at least believe in himself.

PS if there's one lesson the big parties should take from the event, it's this: next time you need a leader, pick a woman.

 Janet Daley

In terms of force of personality, Nicola Sturgeon and Nigel Farage probably did best. Nick Clegg was often more effective than David Cameron in defending the Coalitions's record – not because his arguments were stronger but because his presentation was so much more forceful. Ed Miliband looked too pious and disingenuous for my taste but his followers were probably pleased with the event. Cameron's performance was deeply dispiriting: uninspired and repetitive. The leaders on the Left were allowed to get away with outrageous promises to spend money that isn't there without any challenge from the Prime Minister who should have produced the evidence that would have made their proposals look as absurd as they are.

 Dan Hodges

The format provided a livelier debate than many people had feared, but not necessarily a more decisive one.

David Cameron was on much more assured form, and didn’t allow the concerted attacks from his opponents to rattle him like Jeremy Paxman did. Ed Miliband built on his good performance from last week, without landing any really big blows. Nick Clegg started well, but failed to really impose himself – and took a significant hit when Cameron accused him of a “pick and mix” approach to defending his decisions in government.

Natalie Bennett had a competent outing, but failed to properly cut through. Nigel Farage was in typical polarising form.

But in my view the two big winners were two leaders Nicola Sturgeon and Leanne Wood. I suspect the national impact of tonight will be minimal. But in Scotland and Wales the SNP and Plaid Cymru will have got boost. That’s potentially bad news for Labour, and I suspect Ed Miliband will be seriously reassessing his decision to agree to a further debate with Sturgeon and Wood later in the campaign.

Nicola is the only one of these leaders whose remit doesn't run over the whole union.

Mary Riddell

Who won? The women's collective. Bold, unpredictable, convincing (and well-chaired by Julie Etchingham). Joint first place to Nicola Sturgeon and Leanne Wood. Ed Miliband was the runner-up (and best of the main party leaders) with a confident performance on Europe, migration and the NHS. He could have done with a bit less script and a bit more story. Still, he outshone a backward-looking David Cameron – especially with his direct hit on financial regulation: "I'm not taking lessons from you." Miliband needed a round of applause, and he got it for that. Last was a sweaty and splenetic Nigel Farage.

 Asa Bennett

Nicola Sturgeon clinched victory tonight, needling the "Westminster" party leaders and offering a siren-like appeal to voters. Ed Miliband came second, showing quiet confidence at the chairman-like centre podium. A sweaty Nigel Farage, who the bookies thought would win, wasted time early on talking about HIV-positive immigrants. The fact Leanne Wood won the first applause of the night by condemning his "scaremongering" showed his slip-up.

So, you pays your money and you makes you choice.

Winner....? No, I'm not going to say. 

But I know that Nicola did Scotland proud and even if you're not an SNP voter or supporter, I suspect you may be proud of her tonight even if you'd rather not admit it.