Jonathan Dimbleby, presenter, seemed taken aback at the fiery response of the Pembrokeshire audience that filled Pater Hall, Pembroke Dock, at the BBC radio Question Time programme recorded live on Friday.

The programme, possibly the oldest live debate in the world, was for the first time a political leaders debate. Labour, Conservative, Plaid and Liberals were all represented by their Welsh leaders in the lead up to the May election. Only UKIP was represented by someone unconnected to Wales.

Questions ranged from home schooling to steel production, but the real fire of the night was around Withybush Hospital.

Carwyn Jones claimed that centralising services was the best thing to do and had resulted in improved results, according to his clinical expert advisers. Howls of derision came from all quarters of the hall. ‘That’s because you are not listening to what we are telling you,’ ‘You are not listening to us’ people shouted.

The politicians were asked about a proposed pay rise. UKIP’s Mark Lawless berated the Assembly level of pay. The interviewer then asked if he would accept the rise if he was an Assembly member. He repeatedly evaded the question.

Leanne Wood, leader of Plaid Cymru, said that not only would she refuse it, but she already had turned down the larger £20,000 pay rise that goes with being leader of a party.

“Public sector pay is frozen, I am a public servant, there is no reason I should be treated any differently,” she said.

Liberal leader Kirsty Williams also said she would refuse it. Carwyn Jones, leader of Welsh Labour, said he couldn’t refuse it as it would be in his pay packet. Someone shouted from the back: ‘But you could give it to the hospitals.’

The audience vigorously applauded the speakers from all parties when they agreed with them, as well as shouting out when they did not.

Jonathan Dimbleby concluded the evening joking: “So now we leave this sleepy gentle backwater of the UK” to appreciative laughter.

Chatting afterwards over wine, the programme producers were surprised to hear of the county’s feisty history of battles fought and won.