Ed Miliband was accused of “letting the Tories off the hook” as he faced demands from the leaders of smaller parties urging him to form a “progressive” coalition to run the country.
The Labour leader came under a concerted attack from Scottish and Welsh nationalists as they took part in the second televised leaders’ debate of the General Election campaign.
He insisted there was a “huge difference” between his manifesto and that offered by David Cameron, rejecting claims he offered voters only a “Tory-lite” alternative.
The five leaders taking part in the BBC “challengers” event criticised the Prime Minister for not joining the debate to defend the record of his government.
But any consensus was quickly left behind as Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon launched a blistering assault on Mr Miliband over his economic plans.
“We share a desire to see the back of the Tories but surely we do not want to replace the Tories with ‘Tory lite’; we want to replace the Tories with something better”, she told him.
“When Ed talks about cuts outside protected areas, that’s jargon. Let me tell you what that means, that means cuts to social care, to social security, to local government services, to defence.
He was “so scared to be bold that he’s not even doing the right thing by the NHS, he’s not promising the money the National Health Service needs”, she said.
“I think it’s time not for a pretend alternative to austerity; it is time for a real alternative to austerity.
“If Labour won’t be bold enough on it’s own, I think people should vote for parties who will hold Labour to account and make them bolder.
“I don’t say there’s no difference between Ed Miliband and David Cameron; I say there is not a big enough difference between Ed Miliband and David Cameron.”
She was joined by Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood who said Labour was “letting the Tories off the hook by committing to the Tories spending plans” and challenged Mr Miliband to hold an emergency budget if he became prime minister “to reverse those cuts that are causing so much pain to so many people”.
Mr Miliband hit back: “You can come along on the stage tonight and deny the need for difficult decisions and plan £7.6 billion of cuts in Scotland but I don’t think it’s going to convince anyone.”
There was a “huge difference” between Tory cuts and Labour’s deficit reduction plans, which also included a mansion tax to help fund the NHS, ending the so called “bedroom tax” and a bankers bonus tax to fund jobs for young people.
He said he would “reject” the arguments of parties trying to break up the United Kingdom.
Condemning Mr Cameron’s decision not to debate, Mr Miliband said: “David Cameron has chosen not to come tonight. He has chosen not to defend his record. I believe that Britain can do so much better.”
Ms Sturgeon won a round of applause as she branded Mr Cameron “a disgrace” for his absence from the debate, two weeks after the only broadcast in which the PM is due to take on his rivals for Number 10.
As the five leaders made opening statements, Ukip leader Nigel Farage said: “I have a feeling that I am the only person here saying what a lot of you people at home are really thinking.”
The Ukip leader accused the other parties of throwing around spending promises worth billions of pounds “like confetti” during the campaign, and said only Ukip could afford its promises by cutting overseas aid and ending contributions to the EU.
But he risked alienating the audience in Westminster’s Central Hall, as he protested they were “a remarkable audience even by the left-wing standards of the BBC” after some of his comments about pressure on housing due to immigration were greeted with mutters.
Green leader Natalie Bennett said: “The Green Party are the real challengers offering a million new jobs, combating climate change, protecting vital community services. Challenge the establishment. Vote Green.”
Mr Miliband and Mr Farage clashed over immigration, after the Ukip leader said that he wanted to cut “health tourism” so that funds were devoted not to drugs for HIV-positive foreigners with no links to the UK, but to old people in Britain needing treatment for cancer.
Mr Farage asked: “Is the job of the NHS to look after people here or is it to be an international health service? The vast majority of British people want this to be a national health service.”
The Labour leader responded: “The problem with you, Nigel, is you want to exploit people’s fears not address them … Every time, Nigel, you cross the line.”
He added: “For the unity of our country, the diversity of our country, which is a strength, we have got to handle these issues in an appropriate, sensible and balanced – not exploitative – way and I’m afraid, Nigel, I think you have failed that test.”
During debate on immigration, Mr Farage was accused by Ms Bennett of “demonising” migrants and by Ms Sturgeon of “intolerance”.
The Ukip leader responded: “When you lose an argument in politics, you tend to start abusing your opponent, and we’ve seen quite a lot of that recently.”
In angry exchanges over the NHS, Mr Farage accused Mr Miliband of repeatedly “lying” to voters by saying the Ukip leader wanted to move to an insurance-based system.
Despite previously suggesting the NHS might have to be replaced, Mr Farage now insists he is committed to a publicly-funded service free at the point of delivery.
“You are lying and you are lying … in front of millions of people and you keep on doing it, and lying won’t win you the election,” he said.
After Mr Miliband read out the former comments, he said: “That isn’t my position and you know it.”
In his closing statement, Mr Miliband issued a direct challenge to Mr Cameron to go head-to-head with him in a one-on-one debate before the May 7 General Election.
“David Cameron refused to come and debate tonight, but I have got a message for him,” said the Labour leader.
“David, if you think this election is about leadership, then debate me one-on-one.
“I believe my ideas, my vision for the country are better for the working families of Britain. If you disagree, then prove it. Debate me and let the people decide.”