8m watched final leaders’ debate
By politics.co.uk staff
Eight million people watched the final leaders’ debate last night.
Overnight viewing figures confirmed the final 90-minute debate, hosted by the BBC in Birmingham, achieved nearly double the 4.1 million audience of Sky’s debate last week.
The larger than expected audience, which took place on the crucial election issue of the economy, could have a greater impact on the polls as a result.
Following the first debate, hosted by ITV, Nick Clegg’s strong performance translated to an election-changing surge in the polls. That debate attracted nearly ten million viewers.
Last week’s narrow victory in the polls by David Cameron only gradually translated to an improved advantage for the Tories.
The large eight-million figure for last night’s debate, which was again judged by instant polling to have been won by the Conservative leader, could help shore up the Tory advantage further.
