David Cameron does not appear to be enjoying the debate so far.
The prime minister turned up to the event in Salford with pre-planned attacks.
In his opening statement, he stole Ed Miliband’s favoured phrase “Britain can do better than that” from the Labour leader, but was referring to a return to financial chaos.
The Conservative leader also produced a copy of the infamous 2010 letter left in the Treasury by Labour minister Liam Byrne saying: “I’m afraid there is no money”.
However, Mr Cameron has repeatedly appeared uncomfortable, particularly when his confident-looking coalition partner Nick Clegg turned his fire on him during the early stages of the proceedings.
The SNP’s Nicola Sturgeon and her friend Leanne Wood from Plaid Cymru – both seeking to win over traditional Labour voters in Scotland and Wales – turned up to the event wearing Labour red and have focussed their attacks on Mr Miliband.
The alliance – often being joined by a shaky Green leader Natalie Bennett – have landed a number of blows.
Nigel Farage – the bookies favourite to win the debate – was looking like a safe bet.
Calling for new limits on immigration and the end of the Barnett formula, the UKIP leader often struck a different tone from the others, which may resonate.
Discussing the deficit, he raised his hands and voice to say: “I don’t know what’s going on here. Can we get real please?”
However, Mr Farage also launched an ill-advised attack on immigrants who access HIV drugs, which was seized upon by Ms Sturgeon and Ms Wood.
At half-time, it looks like the Scottish, Welsh and UK nationalist leaders have will be the happiest, along with Mr Clegg.
Mr Cameron and Ms Bennett will need to up their game, while it could still go either way for Mr Miliband.