Tweet
Labour, Conservative and Lib Democrats in Wales have each claimed that their leader emerged the winner of the final prime ministerial debate.Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg competed in the third TV debate on the economy in Birmingham.
But Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said only they could defend the interests of the communities of Wales.
Plaid, like the SNP in Scotland, were not included in the debates, the third of which was broadcast by the BBC.
Afterwards, in a separate interview with the BBC in Wales, Mr Jones said: "Gordon Brown has given up all hope, he was very negative tonight, it seems to me Labour has thrown in the towel, only Plaid can defend our communities."
He said: "I think what we've got to remember is that Wales needs to come out of recession.
"We've got to lead the recovery here in Wales, and what I didn't hear tonight was any of them recognising the special problems that we have, particularly here in Wales." The party leaders clashed over the economy in a discussion which ranged from bankers' bonuses to improving the chances for inner-city schoolchildren in the 90-minute debate.
The issue of immigration, reminding the audience of Gordon Brown calling a pensioner in Rochdale "bigoted" was also among the questions given to the would-be prime ministers.
Welsh Labour's campaign co-ordinator Wayne David said Mr Brown "totally dominated" the debate.
Mr David said: "Once again he demonstrated his grasp of the issues and a commitment to fairness that the others could not match.
Provide opportunity
"Gordon Brown set out a very clear choice between a Labour government committed to helping the country achieve sustainable growth and a Tory Party ideologically hell-bent on taking away support for business and families."
Mr David said David Cameron was "dangerously evasive" for a man who wants to lead the country
He also said: "This was by far Nick Clegg's weakest performance. He seems to eschew real leadership in favour of trying to make friends with audience members."
A Welsh Conservative spokesman said: "In these three debates David Cameron has shown he has the ideas, the vision and the temperament to be the next prime minister.
"Tonight he set out a strong Conservative vision to get our economy moving, to take action now to cut the deficit, to get people into work, to stop Labour's jobs tax, to support the vulnerable and provide opportunity for all."
Kirsty Williams, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said: "While the other two old parties were ambiguous about their polices on dealing with the economic crisis, Nick Clegg gave honest and straightforward answers to the concerns of people across the UK.
"He conveyed the seriousness of the UK's economic situation and the need for parties to work together for the benefit of the country."
The Welsh Leaders Debate will be broadcast at 2100 BST on Sunday on BBC One Wales.This article is from the BBC News website. ? British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.