AS the focus turns towards Birmingham for the final of the three leaders’ debates, city voters were still weighing up the value of the landmark confrontations.

Margaret Reynolds, 63, from Kingsbury, near Sutton Coldfield, said she enjoyed the first debate but was still unsure about Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg’s potential, despite his strong showing.

The retired newsagent said: “It nearly swayed my vote for Nick Clegg but then I read in the newspapers about how his speech was scripted.

“I don’t think he’s quite strong enough to take on that role.”

Richard Campbell, a 27-year-old customer service manager, said he would continue to back the Tories. He said: “I understand how the televised process would sway people’s opinions.

“I watched a bit of the first debate. Nick Clegg came across really well but I’m still behind (Tory leader David) Cameron.

Dave Plummer, 65, a retired tool maker from Redditch, said he was unmoved by the series of three televised debates.

He said: “It just seems to be a waste of time because they are all out to fill their own pockets.”

One objective of the TV debates was said to have been to engage younger people to vote.

But 18-year-old Ellie Cardenas said the tactic had failed as she described the General Election as “not really interesting” and revealed she had not even registered to cast her vote come May 6. The A-level student, from Handsworth, said: “My parents go on about it but I don’t see it affecting anything.

“I’ve not registered to vote so I won’t be voting.”

In contrast, Rosie Lakin, a 22-year-old make-up artist from Tamworth, said she was determined to find out more about the main parties before using her right to vote for the first time.

She said: “I’ve been thinking about doing some research so my mum won’t get upset that I’ve just voted for anyone. I’m yet to decide who to vote for. I do think these debates might persuade people to vote differently.”