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Had things turned out differently, the Coal Exchange in Cardiff Bay would now be entering its fourth decade as home to Welsh democracy.

The people of Wales begged to differ in the 1979 referendum but the Coal Exchange is still hosting democratic debates.

Last Sunday, it was Sky's turn. Tonight, ITV1 Wales will be hosting their version of the Welsh leaders' debate.

This is a debate taking place against the background of rising anger within Plaid Cymru over their exclusion from the prime ministerial debates.

Having digested a YouGov/ITV Wales poll that suggested a spectacular rise, to quote Plaid, in Lib Dem support, they have now written to Ofcom to ask whether their exclusion from last Thursday's debate breaks the broadcasting regulator's code.

Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones told us: "We have written to Ofcom because what has happened is what we predicted would happen, that is, that there would be a significant shift in the opinion polls in a particular direction - as we predicted - it's happening both in the United Kingdom and in Wales, but of course, all the voices that are necessary to be heard in that election haven't been heard and the people of Wales and Scotland have been badly let down by the system as it currently is."

"What we predicted... as we predicted?"

I can feel the hand of history being re-written. Last Thursday, Plaid's director of elections, Helen Mary Jones, was asked if the debate would have an impact on Wales:

"Well if the ordinary voters were as un-engaged in the process as I was, then I think very little. I'd be surprised if there was anything there to change anybody's minds, certainly here in Wales they weren't addressing our priorities, they weren't talking about how you protect the most vulnerable people at a difficult time, they weren't talking about a fair share for Wales so we can protect our schools and hospitals, they weren't talking to us at all."

I suspect she is rather surprised. You can understand Plaid Cymru's frustration with the impact of last Thursday's debate. It was a debate that forced Labour and the Conservatives to rethink their strategies and start to attack Lib Dem policies.

It may be worth watching tonight's debate to see whether Plaid join the other parties in changing tactics to tackle the Clegg factor.

ITV1 Wales, The Welsh Leaders' Debate is on at 9pm.

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