The first sort-of-not-a-debate was never likely to be all that exciting, but it suffers in comparison to the political machinations that preceded it earlier today. The Conservatives chose the day that their leader was making a very public appearance to try and oust the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow.
In an effort described as 'grubby', and condemned on all sides of parliament, the Conservatives attempted to pass a motion to change the rules by which MPs vote for the position of Speaker - seen specifically as an effort to remove Bercow (BBC, 2015). Considering Bercow's efforts to clean up Parliamentary politics and modernise Westminster (Dathan, 2015), it wasn't exactly the backdrop that David Cameron would have wanted for facing an interrogation by Jeremy Paxman.
The not-a-debate itself was predictably frustrating and tense - though there were some cracks. Cameron couldn't live on a zero-hours contract and Miliband claimed that his Labour predecessors were wrong on immigration and the deregulation of the banks.
The pretty odd absence of the Liberal Democrats from the debate was at least softened when their policies showed up. The Mansion Tax, and a Referendum on Europe if there is a treaty change, seem to have made it into Labour's repertoire.
However much their absence may leave them a bit isolated, the Lib Dems may be pleased not to have been on the same stage as the other leaders after all. Whatever they might have gained in terms of increased profile, that profile would have come with the great deal of frustration people will feel with the persistence of Cameron and Miliband in refusing to answer questions directly.
Early polling seems to have suggested a 'win' for Cameron (Clark, 2015), but it has been suggested that Miliband will likely be the one who gains in the long term - being seen to possibly be a capable leader will not hurt his party's election chances (Sparrow, 2015).
And yet, despite all of that, the main thing to be taken from the not-debate tonight will be the narrow focus on just two party leaders at a time when British politics has never been more open. The reality of British politics in 2015 is that there is unlikely to be a majority after the election in May, and there will be many smaller parties vying for attention.
Keeping the focus on these two - Miliband and Cameron, Labour and Conservatives - is about as bad for politics as the underhanded attempt to dislodge Speaker Bercow, a committed reformer, from office while everyone else is away or not paying attention.
The focus now switches to the debate between seven party leaders on 2nd April. That should be livelier, if for no other reason than the Clegg effect from 2010 - lots of parties and politicians entirely new to many viewers. That at least will hopefully mark a reforming step, more in line with reality.
References
'Bid to change Speaker rules defeated amid emotional scenes'; on the BBC; 26 March 2015.
Matt Dathan's 'Why do the Tories want to stab John Bercow in the back?'; in The Independent; 26 March 2015.
'Cameron & Miliband Live: The Battle for Number 10'; from Channel 4 News, on YouTube; 26 March 2015.
'Liberal Democrats set out plans to make the UK the largest economy in Europe'; from the Liberal Democrats; 9 March 2015.
Tom Clark in 'Election 2015: Cameron has edge over Miliband in TV battle, Guardian/ICM poll shows - live'; in the Guardian; 26 March 2015.
Andrew Sparrow in 'Election 2015: Cameron has edge over Miliband in TV battle, Guardian/ICM poll shows - live'; in the Guardian; 26 March 2015.
'Details of the ITV Leaders' Debate announced'; on ITV News; 24 March 2015.
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