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In a strange turn of events David Cameron hit upon the answer…or rather was hit by the answer.  It was the chicken that came first – the egg didn’t come until Wednesday.  Poor old Mr Cameron, its bad enough that he’s seen his lead in the polls wither away and surpassed by the Liberal Democrats this week, the Daily Mirror then sends a chicken to follow him and a hoodie throws an egg at him.  Does this young man not realise that all Dave wants to do is hug him?  I think you’d all agree that’s not a great week.

Anyway, we go into tonight’s debate with Mr Clegg’s poll numbers – personal and party – sky rocketing bringing about a change in the tactics by the ‘big two’.  The Conservatives have gone on the attack by suggesting that a vote for the Lib Dems is a vote for Labour and 5 more years of Gordon Brown.  Labour has taken a different route and went on a charm offensive releasing their new campaign slogan ‘I agree with Nick’.  It’ll be interesting to see which one works out best.

The second of the debates will be hosted by Sky, presented by Adam Boulton and Prime Minister Gordon Brown will open proceedings.  The topic of the debate will be international affairs.  For those of us watching in Scotland tonight will be different.  Unlike last week we will not be told ‘go and stick the kettle on, this doesn’t concern you’ repeatedly (Note to reader:  I’ve used some creative licence with that statement).  I would imagine that the focus of the questions will surround the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, timetables for withdrawal (to all), do you stand by your decision (to the PM), and what would you have done differently (Cameron and Clegg).

Another likely focal point will be the UK and its relationship with the European Union.  The Liberal Democrats are by far the most pro-European of the parties and with much to improve on from the first debate David Cameron is likely strongly attack Nick Clegg.  He will question his willingness to cede British sovereignty to the EU which, it will be argued will inevitably ruin everything that is Great about Britain and over his stance on sacrificing pounds and pence for euros and cents.

The party strategists will have been pouring over every last minute of last weeks debate, seeing what worked and what didn’t.  Having seen the boost given to Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats the Conservatives and Labour know there is a great deal riding on this.  I suspect though that Labour will probably be happy if Gordon Brown turned in the same performance as last Thursday. 

In contrast, the polished, confident, combative Mr Cameron witnessed so often at PMQs has to turn up tomorrow.  For a long time he has canvassed for these debates but based on last weeks performance he did not look prepared.  Mr Cameron had been expected to clean up against Mr Brown and Mr Clegg and unless he puts in a commanding performance tonight he could see his chances of becoming Prime Minister slipping ever further away.

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