I have just watched the last leaders’ debate, over a wobbly internet connection, in the FT’s Washington office. I think the consensus of the great minds assembled here was that this was easily Cameron’s strongest performance of the three; that Clegg was less effective than before and succumbed to ill-advised tetchiness; and that it is always a terrible mistake for Gordon Brown to smile.

Poor Brown has had an awful couple of days. I was over at the State Department this morning – and it seems that Brown’s hideously embarrassing clash with the “bigoted” voter is already the stuff of legends. Several officials had watched it over the internet, with a certain grim amusement. The snap polls after tonight’s debate have him losing again.