General election: It's the formation game

That was, until this week.

The seemingly-endless debate as to whether the two dynamic midfielders could complement each other in the international set-up has finally been laid to rest (answer: no).

But the last seven days, our news broadcasters have resurrected the old debate, and modified it for the political field in the run-up to Thursday's leaders' debate.

Is David Cameron at his best, they asked, when he has been shunted out to the right wing to accommodate a two-man central pairing of Farage and Miliband? Wouldn't he perform better played through the middle? What does Natalie Bennett's position on the left flank show us about the performance?

The leaders' debate, the only one of its kind during this campaign, provided all the glamorous, brightly-coloured pantomime that we expected.

With a set that looked like it was lifted directly from sci-fi classic Tron, the leaders lined up behind their neon-lit podiums wearing severe expressions as they tackled questions on spending, taxes, immigration and the NHS.

There was no clear winner following polls in the wake of the seven-way debate, although Ed Miliband came slightly ahead of David Cameron in several surveys.

The SNP's Nicola Sturgeon was the comfortable winner of another poll following an assured performance, while Ukip's Nigel Farage, who mainly focused on immigration and the EU, drew criticism for comments on the NHS treatment of foreigners with HIV.

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg was quick to lay into coalition colleague David Cameron over protecting the better-off while attempting to cut the deficit, while the Prime Minister slammed Mr Miliband for planning raised taxes, more debt, increased borrowing and spending.

Mr Cameron urged voters to "stick with the plan", and pledged "security for you, for your family, for our country".

The Labour leader was keen to spell out what he would do "if I am prime minister".

He said: "I believe that it is when working people succeed that Britain succeeds. If you believe that too, I ask for your support and let's bring the change that Britain needs."

Mr Farage said the other leaders were "all the same" and said only the "plain-spoken patriotism" of Ukip would control immigration by ejecting the UK from the EU.

Plaid Cymru's Leanne Wood accused him of "scaremongering" and said he should be ashamed of himself for raising the HIV issue and declaring: "We've got to put our own people first".

Ms Sturgeon said the country could no longer afford austerity, declaring: "To people in Scotland I say: vote SNP for a louder voice for Scotland. To people elsewhere I say: ours will be a voice to help bring about change for you too."

The Greens' Natalie Bennett tried to persuade those considering a vote for the Greens that it would not be "wasted", urging them: "Vote for what you believe in. You don't have to go on voting for the lesser of two evils."

After a stuttering start to the campaign for the Conservatives, when Ed Miliband's poll ratings enjoyed a bounce on the back of a strong performance in the his live television interview with Jeremy Paxman, a turn towards the economy appeared to bring matters back into the balance. In the Press Association's poll of polls, the Tories were found to be ahead of Labour by 0.4 points, on 34.4 per cent of the vote, with Ukip behind on 13.2 per cent, followed by the Liberal Democrats (7.8 per cent), and the Greens (5.1 per cent).

As the spotlight turned to the national finances, 103 business leaders published an open letter in support of the last government's policies, warning that "a change in course" on May 7 would put the economic recovery in danger.

After the letter was made public, 17 more business leaders including Tory peer and Pinewood Studios boss Lord Grade, Selfridges chief executive Paul Kelly and David Suddens of bootmakers Dr Martens also stepped forward to support the coalition.

Labour fired back with a letter of its own, with more than 100 signatories "from all walks of life" including actors, business leaders, writers, nurses and low-paid workers. "We are all working people. Some of us run businesses, large and small. Some of us used to work on zero hours contracts, some of us still do. We come from all walks of life, this is what Britain looks like," the letter said said.

But Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said the Conservatives pose a "very real threat" to the UK's economic stability because of the party's lurch to the right, as he insisted that the letter was, in essence, an endorsement of the Liberal Democrats' role in government.

He said: "I read the letter carefully, it talks about what this coalition government has done, and I think the signatories to the letter are completely right in saying that about the last thing that this country needs, now that we're emerging from this long shadow of the economic crash in 2008, is a great lurch in one direction or another.

"However I think they are very wrong in thinking that the Conservative party are somehow the guarantors of that stability."

Multi-party system probable:

First time voter Rebecca Saddington found no clear winner of the live leaders' debate.

The Adams Grammar student, who lives in Muxton, Telford, said a multi-party system was a "probable reality".

The 18-year-old said: "The debate was helpful as it went through the main issues that matter to the electorate and gave each party leader their chance to speak.

"However, I don't feel anyone came out a clear winner, which was to be expected from a debate involving seven party leaders.

"Throughout the debate it became increasingly obvious that a multi-party system is a probable reality, this is exciting for me as a first time voter as it really shows how each vote will count.

"Regarding the NHS, I feel that Nick Clegg was the strongest candidate. However, after the Lib Dems' performance in the coalition government in the last five years, I doubt whether they'll stand a chance in this election.

"When discussing immigration I feel that David Cameron and the Conservatives have the best policies. Though I feel these policies are occurring in response to the rise of Ukip."

Miss Saddington said that both Nicola Sturgeon, of the SNP, and Leanne Wood, of Plaid Cymru, both showed compassionate and common sense during the debate.

But as she is unable to vote for their parties they weren't as important.

Pensioners enjoyed debate:

At the end of the first week of campaigning, Bob and Christine Groom are still undecided about how they will be voting in next month's General Election.

"I think it's about 50-50 at the moment," said Christine, a 68-year-old retired secretary. "I don't think any of them have laid their cards on the table yet."

But she said last night's debates could have helped her make a decision.

"I thought it went very well," she said. "I was a bit sceptical about the format to start with because with seven it could become a bit raucous.

"I think it was very even between Cameron and Miliband and I thought the SNP did very well but obviously we cannot vote for her.

"They covered all the things that I think that most people are concerned about – the NHS, immigration and education, the covered a broad spectrum of topics.

"I thought it made me change my mind, it was certainly very helpful."

Bob, who is 73, said he felt that so far the main parties had played it safe, and there were many issues he wanted to hear more about.

And he said nothing particularly stood out for him during last night's debates.

"It was good to see them all there and they behaved themselves but I would like to see a bit more fire, a bit more of a gloves off performance," he added.

Couple still undecided:

The first televised interview featuring the main party leaders didn't work well for two Shrewsbury teachers.

Katie Barrow missed the action, but her fiancé Kieran Joglecar said the debate was "too busy" and "too complicated"

Kieran said: "The debate ran for two hours, but the format didn't seem to give the leaders the opportunity to say anything.

"With seven leaders involved it was too busy and too complicated.

"I think Nigel Farage's comment about immigrants with HIV was very odd and perhaps illustrates that he is a one-trick pony.

"Polls continue to rate Mr Farage and I think he had a chance to expand his position last night, but he didn't add anything to what he has already said.

"

Mr Joglecar thought that other leaders came out of the debate much better than Mr Farage.

He said: "Once again Ed Milliband did okay, but failed to land any knock-out blows.

"I thought Nicola Sturgeon for the SNP came over very well, she seemed an intelligent and reasonable person.

"But the best comment of the whole debate was from Natalie Bennett of the Green Party when she said 'vote for what you believe in'."

That neither of the major parties would talk about the possibility of having to work in a coalition government disappointed Mr Joglecar.

• Keep up with all the Shropshire and Mid Wales election news at www.shropshirestar.com/election

Farage the main man for Dan:

For father Dan Edwards, there was only one winner of this week's live leaders debate – Nigel Farage.

Mr Edwards, 28, from Oswestry, said he was particularly impressed with the Ukip leader – to the extent that he will consider entering politics himself in the future.

He watched the debate with wife Vicky, 24, and three-year-old son Reuben.

He said: "I liked what Farage had to say. He was honest and told some home truths to the nation.

"Even on points I didn't agree with, I still thought he came across well. In fact, he was so relative, I may consider entering politics myself one day.

"The whole debate was a success. It was good to hear what each party represents, I even think Plaid Cymru has a future within our Government.

"It was interesting to hear the matters that count across the border. We hear an awful lot of complaining from the SNP and Scotland as a whole, but here in Shropshire, the Welsh are more impressive.

"Wales, as a part of Britain, may want more devolution, but I think it is clear, we are all better together.

Mrs Edwards, a travel agency manager, added: "For me, they all seem to represent the same thing.

"None of the party leaders stand out ahead of this year's election."

Too little focus on business:

The seven-party leaders' debate saw politicians speak about healthcare, immigration and education.

But business was one topic that did not get a lot of attention from the group – perhaps surprisingly in a week where Ed Miliband had been aggressively attacking zero-hours contracts and a letter signed by 100 business leaders appeared in a national newspaper.

Calvin Jones, who launched St Martins-based specialist solar panel company iGreen Energy four years ago said he watched the debate and was not impressed by any of the seven leaders.

The Shropshire Chamber of Commerce member has said the long-term health and stability of the British economy would be a priority for small business owners in this election.

Mr Jones said: "I think the big thing that was debated in the last thing was zero-hours contracts for people and they said two per cent of employees are on zero hours contract. I think they are a necessary thing to have."

Mr Jones, who subcontracts workers for his business rather than employing anyone directly, added that as his wife Kerry is a nurse, he will also take a keen interest in the promises for the NHS.

He also said that as he has two children, aged 13 and 10, he would be paying close attention to different candidates' promises on the education sector.

Landlord looking for change:

Ukip leader Nigel Farage has made a positive impression on pub landlord Bob Hedley after the first week of campaigning.

Mr Hedley, who is 50 and owns the Bradford Arms Hotel in Llanymynech on the Shropshire/Mid Wales border, believes the party is the only one that will properly tackle immigration and make sure former servicemen and women are looked after properly.

Mr Hedley, who was in the RAF for 22 years, said: "The way I am, I am swaying towards Ukip. I have been for a while.

"They're the ones who seem like they are going to look after the Forces guys. I think Ukip will look after these guys after they have finished their service.

"At the moment a lot of homeless people in the big cities are Forces guys.

"Ukip is also the only party that seems prepared to stand up and do something about immigration.

"I feel it should be like Australia where people have to prove they have got a trade, got the cash behind them, and they can help the country."

Mr Hedley, who is a father-of-four, added another topic on his customers' lips has been the future of the pub trade.

"A lot of my customers seem to be leaning towards Ukip as well. They have been discussing it in the bar. Give another party a chance is what they are saying," he added.

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