Last-chance saloon for Britain's PM?

Last-chance saloon for Britain's PM?

When Gordon Brown stands in front of the electorate in the third and final UK leader's debate, he will be fighting for his political life.

With all the polls indicating a hung parliament, it must make depressing reading for the man who wanted the top job for so long.

His ruling Labour party is heading for third place in the vote, and their worst performance since 1918. 

The final debate will concentrate on what everyone thought would be the issue to dominate this election - the economy.

That just happens to be Gordon Brown's specialist subject. He was finance minister for more than ten years, and his experience is reflected in the polls.

Asked who they trust most to guide Britain out of the recession, 27 per cent of voters back Brown and current finance minister, Alistair Darling.

That's five points more than the Liberal Democrat top team and a whopping 20 per cent more than their arch-rivals, the Conservatives.

So Gordon Brown has to sparkle in the final debate.

He will undoubtedly go back to his firm position that voting in the Conservatives will wreck economic recovery with their spending cuts.

He will hammer the Liberal Democrats policies and their inexperience.

And finally, he must convince Labour voters that he's not finished and that they should turn out in large numbers to vote.

He has to energise and excite the electorate in a way he has so far failed to do at all during this campaign. It does seem unlikely. 

The final debate is important too for Conservative Party leader David Cameron and Nick Clegg of the Liberal Democrats.

Both have a lot to gain. It's Gordon Brown that has most to lose.

Get the latest updates with our special report on the British Election.