As the third and final historic political leaders’ debate approaches, a new survey suggests that the debates are both of significant interest and will have an effect on how many cast their vote come May 6th. 29% claimed that the leaders’ debates were the most interesting programmes on TV over the past two weeks, leaving Doctor Who (17%) and Britain’s Got Talent (ten percent) far behind.
Indeed, 32% found the debates more interesting than expected, compared to only eight percent who found their expectations were not met. An impressive 35% claim that the debate will have ‘some’ or ‘a lot’ of influence on their vote, so the party leaders will be wary that tonight’s debate remains an opportunity to make significant ground ahead of the election.
Economic policy has already been touched upon during the first two debates and public opinion suggests there is much to play for in the final debate, the focus of which is the economy. 36% believe the Labour party’s claim that cutting government spending now would endanger the economy’s recovery, while 34% believe the Conservatives’ insistence that the planned National Insurance rise, branded a ‘tax on jobs’, would really damage the economy’s recovery. Just over one in five (22%) are inclined to believe neither of the parties’ claims.
The same opinion split is also apparent when it comes to who the public trusts to help small businesses in Britain. 27% trust the Conservatives the most, compared to 21% favouring Labour and 19% the Liberal Democrats.
With just under a week until the election, and with no signs of any particular economic policy commanding a majority of public opinion, tonight’s debate may represent a final chance for each of the parties to garner the many still-undecided votes. With an instant poll going out immediately after tonight's programme, watch this space to find out who we call as the debate's winner.
The third and final leaders’ debate is on BBC One tonight at 2030 BST
