With the battle for the presidency looking increasingly like a 2 horse race between Labour's Martin Ap Daniel and the Social Party's Elowen Richards, the first debate gave the candidates a chance to appeal to the voters:
Taxation
Both candidates seemed to agree on more tax. However, while Martin ap Daniel said that he would increase income tax, Elowen Richards refused to be drawn, leading to severe criticism from both Labour and the Conservatives. She seemed to avoid the Green's argument that she was not proposing a pollution tax.
Devolution
Elowen pitched herself as the candidate for devolution, noting that her party ensured it in Dyfed. However, when pressed on the legal practicalities from the other parties, she seemed to have little or no answer. Labour vowed to minimise devolution to a bare minimum, vowing to recreate a national parliament.
Transport
Labour was attacked by all parties on their failed policies regarding transport throughout the years. Elowen Richards vowed that a north south railway, as well as a east west line would start construction during her tenure. However she refused to be drawn on where the money would come from. The Greens promised not to pass any road building projects and attacked other parties for their policies on building motorways.
Foreign Policy
While the Conservatives and Labour's Martin ap Daniel promised an isolationist approach to foreign policy, Elowen Richards promised to engage in foreign affairs, including creating ports and trading and taking part in global affairs.
When asked who performed best as they came out, most of the audience thought Martin ap Daniel was the "most presidential" and that Elowen Richards was more "clumsy" and "unprepared"
