THE seven political party leaders went head-to head in a television debate that could decide the future government of the country — and Bolton's own political elite have each backed their own leader's performance.

Leaders of the Conservatives, Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the Greens, UKIP, the Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru argued on issues including immigration, the NHS and the economy during the two-hour debate.

Bolton's Conservative leader Cllr David Greenhalgh felt that Tory leader David Cameron came across well.

He said: “He was the only one on the stage who answered with the knowledge of someone who wanted to be Prime Minister.

“Ed Miliband had a technique of looking directly into the camera and I found it insincere.”

Mr Cameron has refused to enter a one-on-one debate with the Labour leader and Cllr Greenhalgh said he disagreed with his decision.

He added: “I don’t think David Cameron should have anything to fear from Miliband.”

Senior Labour councillor Nick Peel disagreed.

He said: “Ed Miliband came across very statesmanlike and didn’t get involved with the squabbles of the other parties.

“Ed addressed his comments directly to the voting public and really got the Labour message across.”

In 2010, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg came out on top in a TV debate and Bolton party leader Roger Hayes felt it was another solid performance from the deputy Prime Minister.

He said: “He did very well — clearly making the point that we would cut less than the Tories but manage the economy better than Labour.

“I felt Nicola Sturgeon of the SNP did well too and emphasised that if there is no overall majority at the election, she will be a player.”

UKIP leader Nigel Farage continued to divide opinion after the debate, with different polls calling him the overall winner and loser on the night.

The chair of Bolton UKIP Joan Johnson said: “I think Nigel is realistic and that came across — he is not against other countries but he thinks we need to look after our own first and he put that message across.”

The chairman of the Bolton Greens Alan Johnson was impressed with leader Natalie Bennett’s performance.

He said: “I think Natalie did well to put the vision of our party across and she didn’t get involved in the fracas that the male party leaders did.”