The British Liberal Democrats have overtaken Labour in the polls following Thursday evening's historic televised pre-election debate.

The poll, requested by daily newspaper The Sun, puts Labour in third place with 28 percent of the vote. The Liberal Democrats, led by Nick Clegg, came second with 30 percent, up from 20 percent before the debate. The Conservatives are in the lead with 33 percent. Mr Clegg is being seen as the winner in Thursday's debate, the first ever televised election debate in British history.

Labour Interior Affairs Minister Alan Johnson has now suggested forming a coalition government with the Liberal Democrats after the 6 May election. Coalition governments are unusual in British politics. Up to now, Britain has almost always been governed by a single party.