P.O.V.: Election - Do you vote for the candidate, the party or the leader?

Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff stands with Liberal candidates as he launches his campaign on Paliament Hill, March 26, 2011. (Ryan Remiorz/Canadian Press)

The political party leaders gave their first campaign speeches Saturday morning.

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper said that on May 2 Canadians will make a choice between a "stable majority" Conservative government or a "reckless coalition."

He was adamant that if Canadians don't elect a Conservative government, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff would form a coalition government with the other parties, including the Bloc Québécois.

Ignatieff promised that his party won't try to form a coalition with any other party.

"We will not enter a coalition with other federalist parties," Ignatieff said in the statement.

Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe used his speech to accuse Harper of attempting to seize power via coalition after coming second to Paul Martin's Liberals in 2004.

NDP Leader Jack Layton vowed to bring "Canadian leadership" to the job and to fix what he says is broken in Ottawa, and asked Canadians to help him defeat Stephen Harper's Conservatives.

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May said Canada has had too many elections and not enough democracy over the past seven years.

When you vote May 2, will you be voting for the candidate, the party or the leader? Let us know in the comments below.


(This survey is not scientific. It is based on readers' responses.)