Chancellor debate: As it happened

2120 That brings to an end our coverage of the debate between the men hoping to be chancellor in the next government. That was just a taste of what is to come, so join us again to follow all the twists and turns in the run-up to the election.

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The campaigning messages on the economy from the three parties involved were clear Ross Hawkins Political correspondent, BBC News How the three men shaped up

So, the would-be chancellors have had their say - now it's your turn. Have floating voters been convinced by any of the parties' economic plans? Will lifelong supporters switch political allegiance after a great performance by a rival? Let us know who convinced you by having your say in our online debate.

2107 If that was the dress rehearsal, then will there be any more razzmatazz when the leaders take to the stage? Probably not, given that audience applause, heckling and pretty much any other reaction has been banned under the rules.

2100 With the exception of the odd set-to, it passed off fairly cordially. With the exception of an occasional titter at either politician's dig at another's party, the audience seemed fairly subdued. A sign that people are ready to grapple with serious issues ahead of polling day, or merely that they are bored of the same arguments?

2057 So, there we have it. The men who would be chancellor have spelled out their cases and say it is for the public to decide. Perhaps unsurprisingly, there were no bombshell policy announcements and the electorate may well be left feeling they have heard it all before.

2055 "With respect to Vince," says Mr Osborne, "there is not going to be a Liberal Democrat government". He adds that the Conservatives have the ideas to take the country forward and says it remains for the public to decide whether they agree.

2053 "Who can you trust?" asks Vince Cable. Labour got us into "a mess", he claims, while the Tories "want to reward their rich backers". We need a change but one for the better, he adds.

2052 The chancellor wraps up by saying Labour has made "the right judgement calls" on the economy and that it will now work with the private sector to make sure people have job opportunities.

2049 Mr Darling says he is optimistic about young people's job prospects, with opportunities in developing green industries. Mr Cable says the government should invest in job-creation schemes but Mr Osborne argues it is essential for the private sector - and not the state - to create jobs.

2047 The chancellor says the banking crisis was not caused by reckless investment activity alone. He says Northern Rock and HBOS got themselves into debt through "conventional" banking and says stronger regulation is essential.

2046 Mr Osborne says it is essential to "learn the lessons" of the banking crisis and calls for stronger regulation. Mr Cable points out that he did warn of the problems but admits he did not envisage "the whole thing collapsing like a pack of cards".

2042 Mr Darling disagrees, pointing instead to government imposition of a bonus tax and the higher rate of income tax as a way of tackling the issue. Mr Osborne says extra taxes on the banks should be introduced now, rather than waiting for international consensus - as the government proposes.

2040 The hot potato of bankers' bonuses is thrown in the politicians' direction by an audience member. Mr Cable repeats his party's pledge to split banks' investment and retail operations.

2037 There is some consensus - at least on the subject of fairness. All three men agree that government should attempt to make society as fair as possible. A relief to the electorate, no doubt.

2034 Vince Cable says well-paid "pinstripe Scargills" are holding the country to ransom by insisting they will leave the country if they are forced to pay higher taxes, in answer to a question about whether current tax policy could provoke a "brain drain".

2032 Mr Darling also says it would be impossible to rule out in the long term, while Mr Cable tells the audience the focus should be on reducing spending.

2031 The debate is steered on to VAT. Mr Osborne insists he has no plans to raise the current rate - with the proviso that no chancellor could ever rule it out.

2028 A question on taxes allows the party finance specialists to set out their policies - Mr Cable on raising the lowest income tax threshold, Mr Osborne on scrapping National Insurance rises. Mr Darling attacks the Tory proposals afresh.

2026 The Chancellor and Mr Osborne continue to trade blows over whether the Conservatives are willing to work together, to the amusement of the audience.

2023 Mr Osborne says he agrees with the Liberal Democrats that a cross-party consensus is needed on public sector pension reform. Mr Darling accuses the Conservatives of refusing to participate in cross-party discussions on social care reform for the elderly. The "love-in" has ended, notes the interviewer.

2021 One lady asks who will cut public sector pensions. Mr Darling says pension reform must be done fairly. The shadow chancellor accuses him of "talking like his party hasn't been in power" for over a decade.

2017 An accident and emergency ward doctor asks whether any party can guarantee that patient services in hospitals will not by damaged by cuts. Mr Cable says no politician could give that guarantee.

2015 Mr Osborne says he has the backing of "every single business leader in the country", which Mr Darling disputes. Mr Cable says the Tory proposals are using "fictional savings" to pay for tax cuts.

2013 The Tory pledge is a "spending spree you cannot afford to finance," says Mr Darling.

2011 The debate has been following a well-trodden path so far, with the three men rehearsing party lines on how soon to cut the deficit. But now Mr Darling accuses his Tory counterpart of "bad judgement" for pledging to scrap the income-raising planned NI rise at the same time as talking about reducing the deficit.

2007 The participants have dealt with their first question from the audience about who has the best qualifications for the job. Mr Cable points to his pressurising the government to nationalise Northern Rock at the beginning of the economic crisis. Mr Darling says he was right in predicting just how bad the recession would be. Mr Osborne talks about having the right plan for the job.

2004 Mr Darling stresses that he is confident Britain can have a bright future provided its government makes the right choices.

2003 Vince Cable begins by saying the economy will not be back in working order until the government gets the banks lending to businesses again.

2002 Five more years of "waste, debt and taxes" that got the country into the mess are not going to get us out of it, says Mr Osborne.

2000 We are all set, with Channel 4's Krishnan Guru-Murthy on stage introducing the participants and giving them each a one-minute pitch to the audience.

1957 Mr Osborne went on the offensive before the debate, pledging to scrap Labour's planned National Insurance tax rises if the Tories gain power. Labour branded it a "panic measure" to win votes, while Mr Cable called the move "schoolboy economics".

1955 How best to reduce the UK's budget deficit - without jeopardising economic recovery - is a topic likely to dominate the election campaign. The participants can expect a grilling on their plans during the debate.

1952 Chancellor Alistair Darling and his Conservative and Liberal Democrat counterparts George Osborne and Vince Cable have been trading verbal blows almost daily since last week's Budget. It promises to make for a lively studio debate.

1950 Welcome to our live text coverage of the debate between the three men vying to be the UK's next chancellor after the coming general election. It is being billed as a dress rehearsal for the historic TV pre-election debates between the party leaders. But will we see the emergence of a viewers' economic Prince Charming - or even some Ugly Sisters?