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I blame Nick Clegg. Each of the panellists in tonight's Welsh Leaders' Debate opted to stare down the camera into the nation's living rooms in the manner of the Lib Dem leader.

It was a bit disconcerting for those of us who had not dressed for the occasion. Peter Hain, Kirsty Williams, Nick Bourne and Ieuan Wyn Jones also followed the Clegg line in presuming themselves to be on first name terms with their questioner.

Peter (see, it's catching) was first to deliver his opening statement, taking a full 10 seconds before reminding viewers of the perils of a Conservative government as he saw them - he may have mentioned bus passes and winter fuel payments.

Peter, Ieuan, Nick and Kirsty all relied on notes to a greater or lesser degree to make their opening statement - Cleggmania's influence has its limits. No-one said: "I agree with Nick (Bourne)".

Anecdotes were fewer than in the prime ministerial debates. Over on Twitter, Daran Hill wondered which would be the first to say something like "last week I met a black man..."

Ieuan highlighted the three "based London parties" (sic), Peter accused the Tories of "literally pulling the rug" under the economy.

Over on , Plaid's Bethan Jenkins and Labour's Alun Davies had an entertaining spat about how only Peter of the four is standing on Thursday and whether Plaid were hiding their parliamentary leader, Elfyn Llwyd. Three of the four panellists are Welsh assembly members.

Welsh Labour accused the Tories of "benching" Cheryl Gillan. Had the shadow Welsh Secretary been locked in a cupboard after her performance on previous Welsh debates?

The truth was that she had opted to visit North Wales with David Cameron rather than speak to voters through the debate in Pontardawe.

"This isn't a beauty contest", said Kirsty - who had previously defended the absence from its manifesto of the Lib Dem candidate to be Secretary of State for Wales on the grounds that Roger Williams is less photogenic than herself.

Kirsty was ahead on the cliche count, accusing Peter Hain of shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted and the UK Government of taking its eye off the ball. She may also have mentioned the doorstep on which politicians spend so much time.

The panel got through questions on the economy (manufacturing and jobs), post offices, Afghanistan, immigration and preferred coalition partners.

There were few surprising answers, no obvious gaffes. No pensioners were insulted during the making of this programme. They all removed their microphones afterwards.

Unlike the prime ministerial debates, there was no ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ worm, no instant newspaper poll to tell us who had won.The press centre in Pontardawe was not, as far as I could tell, swarming with Ministers and their shadows spinning for their men (and woman).

It looks like we'll have to make our own mind up after all.

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