It's the economy, stupid. Channel 4 asks the chancellors

Will the economy decide your vote? As the clock ticks down to election 2010, Alistair Darling, George Osborne and Vince Cable went head-to-head in Channel 4's Ask the Chancellors.

One is old enough to be another's father. Two have changed their names. All three believe they can steer Britain's economy back into the black.

With the national deficit, tax rises and public spending set to dominate the next parliament - will it be Alistair, Gideon or John?

Fresh from the budget Alistair Darling was hotly pursued by shadow chancellor George Osborne, who at 13 changed his name from George to Gideon as a "small act of rebellion".

Then a former Labour councillor called John. He is better known as Vince Cable, Liberal Democrat money guru and king wit of the Commons.

Osborne, 28 years Cable's junior, could become the first Conservative chancellor since Ken Clarke and the youngest for more than a century.

In the live TV debate the three men vying to be chancellor after the next election clashed over how quickly the public deficit should be paid off, taxation policy and regulation of banking.

But they all agreed that big cuts in public spending would be needed whoever was elected.

Vince Cable triumphed in the online poll, taking 36 per cent while the current chancellor and his shadow tied on 32 per cent.

Who knows the chancellors?

Alistair Darling: a 'Trot' with a Tory uncle?

George Osborne: baronet of Bilderberg?

Vince Cable: Commons jester to chancellor?