As the dust settles on a bit of UK political and TV history pundits and politicians are all trying to guage it’s effect on the election. For me it was facinating stuff, I consumed this bit of TV not in front of my TV but like millions of you, on my computer while simaltaneously plugged into Facebook, Twitter and The Worm!!!

I found the whole experience facinating, connected and also even exciting (politics = exciting yeh I know!!!). I think it upped the ante for political debate and brought a kind of roman gladiator like feel to proceedings. Even though the audience wasn’t really allowed to clap and jeer, the social networks were alive with comments, which I bet if they had came attached with sound would have all the rawkus noise of a wined up roman public, baying for blood.

I joined the dabate about 20 minutes in and for me within the first couple of minutes Nick Clegg was in his element coming accross as a confident fresh speaker. It wasn’t long before both the Twittersphere and Facebook posts were too confirming Clegg was “doing well”, with the “just for fun” polls putting him in the lead on popularity and a close second on the economy.

I think for many people he was a little bit of a revelation having been consigned by the last few weeks of satire as the unknown outsider. Undoubtably Clegg had the most to gain during the debate and traded blows effortlessly as the fresh faced “ready for change” leader.

My instinct (and I suspect also the wider electorate) is that people are keen for change and reform at Westminster and Clegg seems to have alot to offer, a party that’s never governed and seemingly remaining unscathed by the recent sleaze alegations making them much more than just the tactical vote of past elections.

Brown I thought did well obviously not in his element but again seemed to rise to the challenge. Almost all of his answers were characterised not by the effervesance and optimism of Clegg but by a pragmatic and thoughtful approach, that I suspect comes from the realities of being in government for 10 years. Brown defined himself as the safe pair of hands. The biggest loser in this I feel was Cameron, who was expected to do well in this debate, infact came accross less convincing and at times he seemed lost. Both the ITV polls and general social networks assesment he was last on almost every issue.

I would consider my self a floating voter so I’m very keen to see what each party wants to do with our country, also as a business owner I want to see innovation and leadership at one of the most important junctures in this countries last 30 years. I think the future of the UK as a competitor in the world is at stake and if we elect the wrong party or even worse create a hung parliment it will effect us financially and socially for years to come.

So what’s the impact of the debates, for me I think they will be critical on influencing mainstream opinion, we are a personality driven society, we love celebs and by forcing our future leaders I to this arena webare judging them on the same level, we are projecting ourselves to them and if either of them hit a rich vein of mainstream agreement it could be decisive.

I for one have been engaged and will try hard to dig behind the personalities, and understand the policies but in the end this is the election and right now we need someone with global vision, ideas and the qualities of a true leader.