The first televised political debate in the history of the United Kingdom has been a shock to the system for the winner, Nick Clegg. Carried by the 'Clegg impact', the Liberal Democrats have seen an increase in more than 10 points more than they expected with respect to voting last week. They have also achieved a greater number of voters that are inclined now because there is a hung parliament, according to a Populus survey which collects the newspaper 'The Times'.

The poll, conducted between Monday night and Tuesday morning, said that many of these new voters are young people and those who did not vote in general elections in 2005.

Another consequence of last Thursday's debate is the possible increase in participation. Thus, the proportion of citizens who intend to vote is now 65%, compared with 60% a week ago.

The Times also reveals that the Liberal Democrats are up 10 points over last week and win over 31% of the preferences of the British. The 'Tories', however, down four points to 32% and Labour, which down five points, remain at 28%. These results broadly contrasted by other surveys, may change again next Thursday, when the second televised debate is held.

With the British electoral system in three ways, the results of the surveys are difficult to extrapolate to the final composition of Parliament for the local and regional variables. In this case, Labour would get the majority of deputies, 273, despite being third in percentage of votes. Conservatives would stay at 236 and the Liberal Democrats at 110.

The age range in which the Liberal Democrats have experienced the greatest growth is in between 25 and 34 years, with an increase of 18 percentage points to 40%. This means that 40% of respondents in this age group to vote says Nick Clegg. In addition, two-fifths of voters under 35 years supports the Liberal Democrats, though also in this age where there has been greater abstention.

Among the sector who abstained in 2005, a quarter of them have passed the option Clegg, who also won more support among women (34%) than men (30%).