First Election Leadership Debate Crucial For Brown's Chances of Victory

Tonight's debate between the three main political party leaders, Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg, will be a first in British political history.

Televised debates have been a key feature of  US Presidential elections for the last fifty years. But in the UK, there has always been strong resistance to them.

There is no doubt that all three men will be nervous and accutely aware that any slip-up, whether verbal or non-verbal, could spell the end of their chances at the ballot box.

So far David Cameron has focussed much more on style than on substance and not given much away in terms of  policy detail.  I wonder whether he will come unstuck in the debates when those asking the questions demand much fuller answers from him on what he will actually do if he become Prime Minister.

But currently behind in the polls, a strong performance is most imperative from Gordon Brown, who unlike David Cameron, is not comfortable under the piercing media spotlight. One can only hope that the coaching he has been receiving from Tony Blair's Communication's director, Alastair Campbell, will bear fruit during tonight's event.

This evening will be a defining moment in the campaign and Labour's fortunes in the election. Every Labour Party member and supporter in the country will be hoping the Prime Minister gives a strong performance and wishing him well.