The British general election is the “most exciting and unpredictable” for a generation, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said today.
Mr Clegg said last night's televised debate had left the campaign wide open.
Instant polls following the Sky News debate in Bristol suggested Conservative leader David Cameron and Mr Clegg were virtually neck and neck as viewers' choice for victor on the night, while prime minister Gordon Brown registered a much-improved performance.
Mr Clegg said voters now had a choice between the "two old parties" - Labour and the Tories - and "something new" from the Liberal Democrats.
"The debate last night showed very clearly that the general election campaign is now wide open," Mr Clegg said during a visit to Newcastle today. "In my view this is now the most exciting and unpredictable election this country has had for a generation."
Prime Minister Gordon Brown earlier warned that his "novice" rivals could not be trusted to run the economy and he vowed to fight "as though my life depended upon it" to secure the return of a Labour government.
Mr Brown likened Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg to his young sons squabbling at bath time, while insisting that only he had the experience to secure economic recovery.
"I believe that there is one leader in this campaign with the experience, the judgment, the record and the team to be trusted with the recovery at this uncertain and fragile time," he said during a news conference at Labour Party headquarters in London.
"That is why I will fight as though my life depended upon it to win the argument and to win the support needed to get a majority Labour government, the one that Britain needs to secure the recovery and take our country forward."
Mr Cameron this morning said he thought the latest debate "went well" after his performance last week had drawn criticism.
Asked if he believed Mr Clegg's popularity had now peaked, the Tory leader said: "That is for others to say - the people are the deciders in this, not the politicians.
"But if you want real change, if you want to be sure there is a new prime minister on May 7th, a new team, a new direction to get the economy and the country moving, not stuck with what we've got, avoiding the perils of a hung Parliament, the best thing is a Conservative victory."
From the beginning of last night's debate, Mr Clegg's opponents, who were criticised for their performance last week, intervened sharply on occasions to criticise his policies, mainly on immigration and defence.
Urging voters not to support a hung parliament, Mr Cameron said he would work with whatever result offered on May 6th, but warned that it would cause problems for interest rate and international confidence.
PA