The day after, leaders debate is still the hot topic

The Comres poll that has flashed up on your screens telling you about the Lib Dems moving to first place in the polls is an error – it is not national voting intention.

A clarification from Comres is due out soon. Heart-stopping moments in Cowley Street as Simon Hughes prepared to take up the seals of office may have to wait.

Elsewhere, post debate, David Cameron was out first, graciously conceding that Nick Clegg had a good night … now Gordon Brown speaking on BBC Radio Sussex has piled in saying that Nick Clegg should be “rightly pleased” with his performance. 

At the end of last night’s debate I was listening to the spinners who were chatting to us even as the leaders wound up so I have only now become acquainted with the exquisite piece of one-upmanship Gordon Brown practised on his rivals as the debate ended.

They shake hands as planned and then, instead of standing on the stage through the closing titles, as planned, Gordon Brown premeditatedly leaves the stage and plunges into the audience to shake hands with them.

Nick Clegg sees what’s happening and tried to follow, David Cameron (interesting this) touches Nick Clegg’s arm and says something to the effect of “stay here” and, interesting this too, Nick Clegg obeys David Cameron.

Then he realises that Gordon Brown is walking away with the closing image of the contest and decides they should join him shaking hands with the voters instead. It’s all over quite quickly but in a glitch-free, gaffe-free production it’s an interesting vignette.