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Thread: Election Debate on TV

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    Election Debate on TV

    Disclaimer: I have my own views on politics. I have read the manifestos. Labour have got us in a mess, the tories will sell things off to pay off the debt, the liberal democrats are going to raise taxes and need about 10 years to get the things in their manifesto done. Having said that financially for me I believe the tories would be the best bet. I'm still sitting on the fence though.

    Anyway onto the debate

    Well, I have to say it was far more gripping than I anticipated, Clegg outshone Cameron and Brown trailed in a pitiful and distant third. I'm looking forward to the next one.

    I was surprised, I thought Cameron might have edged it originally but Clegg was very clear, turned to face his opponents and listen to them when they talked and kept quiet when asked or his time was up. Something Gordon Brown repeatedly failed to do and which Cameron picked up on as the show went on. Brown I felt looked petulant and why the constant twitches, shaking of head and raising onto tiptoes. He looked like someone with ADD.

    Best comment of the night and the one which for me were the soundbites.

    Cameron's to Brown - You've had 13 years to sort it out, why haven't you done it already.

    Most clear policy of the night

    Clegg's - We've costed it, its in our manifesto, read it. Also the trident scrappage.

    If there ever was an argument for David Dimberley to be allowed to host all 3 broadcasts the presenter for ITV made it expertly. He was out of his depth and obviously not used to or up to the task last night.

    Now how do I watch Sky on freesat for the next one?

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    Re: Election Debate on TV

    I was quite surprised at how well Nick Clegg came across - but then he's the one of the 3 with the least to lose, and everything to gain.

    I found it quite dull though - just 3 politicians repeating the same things they've already said or not said. I'm not sure I'll be watching the next one. I'll probably just read the reviews/highlights online afterwards.

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    Re: Election Debate on TV

    Quote Originally Posted by rtwwpad View Post
    Well, I have to say it was far more gripping than I anticipated, Clegg outshone Cameron and Brown trailed in a pitiful and distant third. I'm looking forward to the next one.
    It's funny how your own perspective and views influence how you think it went (mine too, obviously).

    I've always been a Tory supporter, however I cannot support Cameron and Osborne, they're a bad joke from cloud-cuckoo-land.
    I've also always said that I'd never support Lib Dem as they have nothing to say.
    Just recently, I've become convinced that in the absence of a good alternative proposition, status quo is the best options (that is to leave Brown and Labour in power).

    However, if I were to make my choices based on last night alone:

    • Cameron confirmed my opinion of him. He had very little productive or definite to say and by the end of the debate was clearly getting angry and fed-up.
    • Brown performed confidently and well and came a close second.
    • Clegg (accepting that Brown and Cameron were sniping at each other, thereby giving Clegg plenty of space) completely surprised me and out-performed the both of them.

    Based on last night alone, I would give Clegg and Cable a go.
    However, I'm currently still in favour of giving Brown and co another term to stabilise things, then see if Clegg is ready to take the reigns (or if the Tories find some leaders from somewhere).

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    Re: Election Debate on TV

    The problem with this election is simply there isn't much to say. The deficit dominates everything, and they can't really talk about it.

    To address the deficit, they are going to have to both cut spending and raise taxes. They've made a few vague promises around this, but haven't gone into any detail (this is true of all three parties). The promises account for less than half the shortfall. The question is, what spending will they cut and which taxes will they raise?

    The Tories talk about efficiencies in the NHS as a way of saving money. What this will mean in practice is they will cut the NHS budget and let the individual trusts and SHAs work out where to make the savings. Whether they'll help them do this is unclear, but I suspect not (I'd be interested if the Invest to Save initiative will continue). People I know who run NHS trusts are expecting cuts of 10% or more in their budgets. A 10% cut in the budget that runs through PCTs would amount to about 8 or 9 billion in savings (the majority of which will be salaries - they account for a huge percentage of the NHS budget). I know the NHS better than other organisations, but I suspect this approach will be taken across the board.

    Labour aren't clear, but everyone I know within the NHS expects them to adopt a similar strategy: cutting budgets and let them figure it out for themselves. They may not cut as deep or as fast, but it will be close.

    The LibDems are actually pretty similar. They at least identify some specific savings they can make - and their main focus is defence.

    As for raising money, Labour has said they will raise NI, which will be a useful amount of money (although not enough). The Tories say they won't. But it's almost inevitable they'll raise VAT. The LibDems haven't been specific, but they'll look at putting up income taxes, especially in the higher brackets.

    The problem is, these will all involve hard decisions to be made which none of the parties can be honest about for the simple reason that honesty would cost them the election. Some people will suffer. The question is, who will suffer? To know the answer to that, I think you have to look to the parties themselves and make a decision on how you think the party's values align with your own. Because that, rather than what they say, is a far more reliable indicator of how they will behave in Government.

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    Re: Election Debate on TV

    Quote Originally Posted by geoff332 View Post
    Some people will suffer. The question is, who will suffer? To know the answer to that, I think you have to look to the parties themselves and make a decision on how you think the party's values align with your own.
    I think you're right

    I've just taken this quiz and the result basically back-up what I already thought.


    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/elec...tion-2010.html

    Whoever gets in next are faced with a very tough job. If they really get to grips with sorting out the economy, they'll be very unpopular with a lot of people, who'll enviably suffer hardship and I reckon they'll only last one term, as people won't see the bigger picture but the next party who gets in after, will possibly end up looking like the good guys
    MODERATOR AT YOUR SERVICE
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    Re: Election Debate on TV

    When one or other of the parties come up with a policy on immigration that I can accept then they will get my vote.
    Until then I will leave it to you all to vote in a party and I will go along with it.
    I know it angers some people but I have never voted in my life-I fail to see the point in voting for something I know nothing about or indeed understand.

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    Re: Election Debate on TV

    Quote Originally Posted by Gav View Post
    • Cameron confirmed my opinion of him. He had very little productive or definite to say and by the end of the debate was clearly getting angry and fed-up.
    • Brown performed confidently and well and came a close second.
    • Clegg (accepting that Brown and Cameron were sniping at each other, thereby giving Clegg plenty of space) completely surprised me and out-performed the both of them.

    Based on last night alone, I would give Clegg and Cable a go.
    However, I'm currently still in favour of giving Brown and co another term to stabilise things, then see if Clegg is ready to take the reigns (or if the Tories find some leaders from somewhere).

    Totally agree

    The fact is Cameron ‘identified’ £73,000 of the 6 BILLION of savings this year (that police car)

    He has got to get some figures about apart from talking about ‘waste’.

    I’m still a floater but thought over all it went well and will def see the others

    Key for me is how we manage this tiny tiny little green shoot of recovery.

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    Re: Election Debate on TV

    Quote Originally Posted by rtwwpad View Post
    .

    If there ever was an argument for David Dimberley to be allowed to host all 3 broadcasts the presenter for ITV made it expertly. He was out of his depth and obviously not used to or up to the task last night.

    Now how do I watch Sky on freesat for the next one?

    Alistair Stewart who has a few decades of relevant experience was fine .

    Its always harder with 3 then dealing with 2.

    I also was impressed regarding the restraint each leader shown in not interrupting when others were talking (you can have Question Time for that and David Dimerley who seems to encourage it).

    8/10

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    Re: Election Debate on TV

    Quote Originally Posted by djtrev View Post
    When one or other of the parties come up with a policy on immigration that I can accept then they will get my vote.
    Until then I will leave it to you all to vote in a party and I will go along with it.
    I know it angers some people but I have never voted in my life-I fail to see the point in voting for something I know nothing about or indeed understand.
    Sorry that really saddens me.

    Surely a few googles would help you understand some of the points dicussed

    e.g Budget Deficit etc ??

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    Re: Election Debate on TV

    Quote Originally Posted by stewart38 View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by rtwwpad View Post
    If there ever was an argument for David Dimberley to be allowed to host all 3 broadcasts the presenter for ITV made it expertly. He was out of his depth and obviously not used to or up to the task last night.
    Alistair Stewart who has a few decades of relevant experience was fine .

    Its always harder with 3 then dealing with 2.

    I also was impressed regarding the restraint each leader shown in not interrupting when others were talking (you can have Question Time for that and David Dimerley who seems to encourage it).
    I missed that point , thanks Stewart.

    Alistair Stewart did a fine job of controlling the flow and direction of debate and didn't allow anyone to take control.
    Whoever David Dimerley is, I can't imagine him doing a better job.

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    Re: Election Debate on TV

    Quote Originally Posted by Lory View Post
    I think you're right

    I've just taken this quiz and the result basically back-up what I already thought.


    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/elec...tion-2010.html
    Me too

    We've got a strange situation in our constituency as the current MP is the Speaker of the House of Commons. Therefore, none of the three main parties stand (Bercow stands as an Independant but counts as a Tory) - truly bizarre! We've even got the ex-UKIP leader Nigel Farage ...

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    Re: Election Debate on TV

    Quote Originally Posted by HelenB View Post

    We've got a strange situation in our constituency as the current MP is the Speaker of the House of Commons. Therefore, none of the three main parties stand (Bercow stands as an Independant but counts as a Tory) - truly bizarre! We've even got the ex-UKIP leader Nigel Farage ...
    That's the kind of strange thing that doesn't really work in elections. Really the general election should be about voting for the party/overall leader - and everyone should have the choice to vote for all available parties. I'd be fuming if in my area I couldn't vote for the party/person I wanted because that party wasn't standing in my area.

    Luckily in my area we have the one that I want to vote for - it's the strange ones we don't have

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    Re: Election Debate on TV

    Quote Originally Posted by emmylou25 View Post
    Really the general election should be about voting for the party/overall leader - and everyone should have the choice to vote for all available parties.
    Next you'll be proposing some sort of electoral reform...

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    Re: Election Debate on TV

    I think the television 'debates' are a lamentable development. We'll end up like America where peopel vote for the bloke with the nicest smile and the folksiest voice. We just got through 10 years having the country ruled by a bloke who turned out to be fundamentalist nutcase without ever telling us that, and who thinks 'personal conviction' is the most meaningful measure of whether something is 'the right thing to do'.

    Since there seems to be no help for it now, then as an absolute minimum there should be debates between Chancellor of the Exchequer and his shadows, the Foreign Secretary and his shadows and the Home Secretary and his shadows. (His/her, for those who can feel their PC muscles twitching...)

    What we want is a system that results in a useful and competent bunch of politicians in the Cabinet, not merely the handsomest, smiliest person in no.10

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    Re: Election Debate on TV

    Quote Originally Posted by Barry Shnikov View Post
    We'll end up like America where peopel vote for the bloke with the nicest smile and the folksiest voice.
    It's happening already, your spelling's gone to pot

    What we want is a system that results in a useful and competent bunch of politicians in the Cabinet, not merely the handsomest, smiliest person in no.10
    Speak for yourself. I say Nigella Lawson for PM!

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    Re: Election Debate on TV

    Quote Originally Posted by Barry Shnikov View Post
    We just got through 10 years having the country ruled by a bloke who turned out to be fundamentalist nutcase without ever telling us that, and who thinks 'personal conviction' is the most meaningful measure of whether something is 'the right thing to do'.
    People voted a sizeable majority; three times in a row. For me that seems to suggest that although their consciences may have been pricked, it wasn't enough to justify an outright 'sacking'. In my opinion, the crunch point only came when the economy went pear shaped. Does that mean nobody cares as long as they're feeling flush. Electorates get the governments they deserve!

    Quote Originally Posted by Gav View Post
    Speak for yourself. I say Nigella Lawson for PM!
    Speak for yourself. I say Anna Arrowsmith for PM!

    http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle7060533.ece

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    Re: Election Debate on TV

    Quote Originally Posted by Gav View Post
    It's happening already, your spelling's gone to pot
    My speling is fine; but my tiping needs sum werk.

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    Re: Election Debate on TV

    Quote Originally Posted by Bubble View Post
    People voted a sizeable majority; three times in a row. For me that seems to suggest that although their consciences may have been pricked, it wasn't enough to justify an outright 'sacking'. In my opinion, the crunch point only came when the economy went pear shaped. Does that mean nobody cares as long as they're feeling flush. Electorates get the governments they deserve!
    Well, that doesn't always happen when, for example, the candidates withhold the fact that they routinely consult the voices in their head for advice as to what to do...

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    Re: Election Debate on TV

    I liked a quote from Tony Parsons in The Mirror today. "Cameron is living proof that the thick children of the wealthy now do better in this country than the bright children of the poor"

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    Re: Election Debate on TV

    Quote Originally Posted by Double Trouble View Post
    I liked a quote from Tony Parsons in The Mirror today. "Cameron is living proof that the thick children of the wealthy now do better in this country than the bright children of the poor"
    Yes and there will be plenty of wealthy and thick (though they are not always mutually exclusive) people voting for him.

    Having said that we have also had 13 years of a so called socialist government that should have gone some way to redress this balance but hae they?

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