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Tonight Carwyn Jones and Nigel Farage fired the starting gun on the great European Union referendum debate of 2016.

And, sadly for Mr Jones, Nigel Farage won.

Watch Senedd Correspondent David Deans give his verdict on tonight's debate:

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Carwyn Jones' argument relied on the risk of leaving, and relied on showing Nigel Farage up on what he thought were the MEPs' failings in standing up for Britain's interests.

But he didn't really deliver a killer blow, and found it difficult to make his voice heard over a room that had more than its usual fair share of Ukippers.

Read more:As it happened: Carwyn Jones and Nigel Farage go head to head on the EU referendum

Sometimes his voice fell to a whisper as he tried to show the populist politician up.

Other than the economic argument - the risk to industry - and Farage's competence, that seemed to be it from the FM. Sometimes it sounded like the Welsh First Minister was repeating himself.

But Nigel Farage had an answer for everything - and he's a past master at this.

Watch the debate here:

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It wasn't that Mr Farage's argument were particularly stunning, to be honest. We've heard it all before, about the Brussels laws holding Britain back.

It was that when the Ukip leader was in trouble, all he had to do was deliver traditional anti-EU lines to get his audience behind him. He'd deliver a banger, and the job was done.

poll loading Who won tonight's EU debate? 500+ VOTES SO FAR Carwyn Jones Nigel Farage

It was the inability of Mr Jones to guide and lead the debate meant it often felt like a Nigel Farage rally or campaign event - with the First Minister a foil to the Brexit message.

See also: Nigel Farage prepared for 'punch-up' with Carwyn Jones ahead of tonight's EU referendum debate

This isn't about whose arguments are right or wrong, or the veracity of the facts deployed by the two politicians.

But those on the pro-EU side of the argument are going to have to do better to outclass a man who has made his life opposing the EU.