Voters across Gwent took their seats for a tightly matched contest last night, as seven party leaders debated which of them deserved a cross in the ballot box.
David Cameron for the Conservatives, Ed Miliband for the Labour Party, Nick Clegg for the the Lib Dems, Nigel Farage of UKIP, Natalie Bennett for the Green Party, Nicola Sturgeon of the SNP and sole Welsh voice Leanne Wood for Plaid Cymru took their podiums at the ITV studio in Salford.
They grappled with the economy, immigration, the NHS and education - but who came out on top?
Among the Weakest Link comparisons from other tweeters, Blaenavon community cllr Gareth Davies asked:
Has the #leadersdebate gone to penalties yet?
— Gareth Davies (@CllrGaDavies) April 2, 2015
There were few surprises from the party faithful, with councillors backing their leaders ahead of the polls and shouting down the opposition.
Monmouthshire Council leader Peter Fox tweeted his support for the Prime Minister, with Newport's Helen Reynolds imagining the leaders pumping themselves up halfway through.
@PeterFox61 Wonder if they're all getting orange quarters and a pep talk in the dressing room now?!
— Helen Reynolds (@HelReynolds) April 2, 2015
Along with several Gwenties wishing they could vote for Nicola Sturgeon, one Newport tweeter said:
Who is the SNP candidate for Newport East #leadersdebate #movingtoscotland
— Lisa (@lisara1979) April 2, 2015
Stow Hill Labour cllr Miqdad Al-Nuaimi isn't a fan of Nigel Farage:
The loser of #leadersdebate was @Nigel_Farage. He came over as mean-spirited little #Englander blaming #UK ills on #Europe & immigrants
— Miqdad Al-Nuaimi (@mndsc06) April 3, 2015
And Newport Tory leader cllr David Fouweather thought the seven leader format was a waste:
#Leaderdebates we should have had a debate between Milliband and Cameron the others don't matter
— David Fouweather (@DaveFouweather) April 2, 2015
Dimitri Bartouni, Labour group leader for Monmouthshire, said:
Leanne wood is really bad - does plaid have no one better?#leadersdebate
— Dimitri (@DimitriBatrouni) April 2, 2015
But at least one Newport voter disagreed:
Won't be voting for her but thought Leanne Wood spoke well last night despite polling suggesting otherwise.
— Rob (@Rob_Newport) April 3, 2015
Chepstow's Labour deputy mayor Dale Rooke didn't seem impressed by anyone:
#leadersdebate is just like PMQ's.Lots of shouting,posturing and point-scoring with little discussion.Yawning!
— Dale Rooke (@dale_rooke) April 2, 2015
Argus news editor Maria Williams reflected on a shift towards what could be a more plural political landscape:
Mulling over just how long it's taken to see women party leaders, and a Welsh leader, in a debate like that #leadersdebate
— Maria Williams (@ArgusMWilliams) April 2, 2015
But despite the presence of the Green's Natalie Bennett, climate change was overlooked according to Llantarnam Labour cllr David Daniels:
Shame climate change didn't get an airing at #leadersdebate. Arguably one of the top issues facing us. Needed to hear parties' stances on it
— David Daniels (@David_R_Daniels) April 2, 2015
With no clear winner in the polls, Newport West Plaid Cymru candidate Simon Coopey had this to say:
Want to know who’s ‘won’ the #LeadersDebate - it’s your party and their flawless leader’s flawless performance! Congratulations.
— Simon Coopey (@SimonCoopey) April 2, 2015
But even if the debate didn't help you decide which way to vote, at least it provided inspiration for this Lego art.
Oh this is excellent 😂😂 #LeadershipDebate #lego pic.twitter.com/HJUlg0DLbp
— Richard (@MrRichardPowell) April 2, 2015
Want to have your say on the debate? Tweet us @southwalesargus.
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