Clegg got off to a flying start, Cameron stood still, Brown performed as you'd have expected to perform (ie as a plank of wood minus the animation).
Predictable complaints about it being an "English" debate; considering how many N.Irish, Scottish and Welsh issues have been taken away from Westminster courtesy of the Devolution Experiment, then obviously it was always going to be the wider national issues which would predominate.
But if I, as a political anorak, found myself nodding off within the first ten minutes, I can only imagine the reaction of the typical viewer to what was a boring piece of television- political theatre it was not. These kind of debates "work" in the US due to the gladiatorial format; two challengers battling to land the killer punch on their opponent. Here three was one too many (particularly when that one has no chance of picking up the ultimate prize) to make the same kind of thrilling, meaningful contest.
So, whilst the pundits and apparatchiks will be poring over and arguing about the intricacies this morning, the rest of the electorate will carry on regardless, making sure that they have their hair to wash or dog to walk at the time of the next debate.
3 comments:
>>..considering how many N.Irish, Scottish and Welsh issues have been taken away from Westminster courtesy of the Devolution Experiment, then obviously it was always going to be the wider national issues which would predominate.<<
"wider national" yep, English national issues............How many times? YOU ARE NOT ENGLISH! A little Engalander perhaps but not English.........get over it!
Overheard a conversation from 3 educated wimmen at the doctors on Thursday, 1 being a doctor and another a senior health worker. They all very quickly let each other know that they were not "into politics" and the conversation was about feeling sorry for the hapless Brown, how they all could never vote tory due to the legacy but the majority centred on the leaders wives. It was all going wrong for the apparent primness of Mrs Cameron before 1 informed the others that she was preggie..........that was it! All of a sudden you could feel the draught of the voter swinging voter.
Clegg looked assured, hit several home runs especially over corruption. Why Cam and Broon allowed this considering the complicitness of the Lib's is beyond me. He was all over the place on crime......again the others didn't fire in. Brown got the best line over poster and him smiling. I can only think Cameron is playing himself down deliberately, a strategy to destroy on the last night. He came across as far too mild mannered, oh and Brown performed well........considering.
Concerning the "devolution experiment", an interesting quote on the English and devolution published today in the Herald concerning a federal UK.
Home Rule all round (for the four nations of the UK) "involves English home rule" and so "we must wait until the sluggish mind of John Bull is educated to that point"
Henry Campbell-Bannerman in 1889 on the Irish Home rule affair and the need for constitutional reform.
(British Prime Minister 1905-1908, Irish Chief Secretary 1884-1885, Glaswegian.)
Quote of the day for you!
Tony
"wider national" yep, English national issues............How many times?"
Immigration, defence, expenses scandals, to mention only three, are not English-issues and all were discussed and debated.
I can only think Cameron is playing himself down deliberately, a strategy to destroy on the last night.
That's the line being sold, hopefully it's true.
Aberdonian,
Curiously enough, that's not one I've found yet in my quotes book;)
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