TV leaders' debate as it happened: News and analysis from the seven-way party leader discussion live on ITV

Live coverage of the event plus reaction afterwards

Julie Etchingham prepares to take charge of the debate in which the seven party leaders will do battle (ITV)

The only head-to-head debate of the general election campaign between Britain's seven political parties is now over.

At the two-hour event in Manchester, the leaders of the Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats, Ukip, Greens, SNP and Plaid Cymru clashed on the deficit, the NHS, immigration and the future of Britain's political system.

Nigel Farage caused controversy tonight for saying the NHS should not help foreigners with HIV.

If you missed them, here are the other latest updates from the day's politics:

• A battleground for David Cameron and Ed Miliband but poll declares SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon the winner

• ‘You should be ashamed of yourself’ Farage told as he lashes out at foreigners with HIV

• How each leader performed in the ITV discussion

• No knockout punches but a good night for balance in politics

• Just who are the seven political party leaders debating each other?

• 'Shall I use jiu jitsu to put Nigel Farage on the floor?' asks Cameron

• Ed Miliband delivers strongest interview yet

Please allow the live blog a moment to load

On 7 May, the British public will decide who is to lead the country for the next five years, and what sort of nation the UK will be.

The polls have Labour and the Conservative Party neck and neck, making this one of the most exciting election build-ups for generations.

Yet with neither guaranteed to get a majority on their own, this election will also see a hugely important role played by all of Ukip, the SNP, the Greens, the Lib Dems and Plaid Cymru.