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Debate reaction – 8 in the morning, April 16th

8am

By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982

* Nick Clegg stole the first debate by offering himself up as a fresh alternative in an “electrifying, fast-moving” broadcast, says the Guardian.

* The Times says this was a “gladatorial battle for the modern age”.

* Clegg wins on style, Brown on substance, Cameron on shallowness, says Alastair Campbell.

* No knock-out blow or disastrous gaffe, but Clegg wins through, says the Independent.

* The Telegraph goes over what was said in the debate, issue by issue.

* Guardian columnists give their views on the TV debate.

* Mike Smithson says that although last night may have hurt the Tories, it could also hurt Labour.

* Nothing fundamental changed last night in the frame of the election as a whole, writes James Crabtree.

* Why has David Cameron ditched his “Broken Britain” mantra?

John Prescott and John Denham give their reaction:

Alex is the founder and CEO of The Cares Family. He was editor and first director of LabourList in 2009-2010, during which time he established the site as the number one Labour blog, and later an aide to Ed Miliband.

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