Pre Election, Prime Ministerial Debate 2

[marbelladave]

I think a strong showing for the LD's and a hung parliament could see a lot of blood letting in both Lab and Con, some career politicians may need to be planning their new careers.

Be still my beating heart...

[FoxyPV]

Dave's flagship manifesto idea has been described by

A third Tory source. "The 'big society' is bollocks. It is boiled vegetables that have been cooked for three minutes too long. It tastes of nothing. What is it?"

(today's guardian)

[marbelladave]

The fact you are even contemplating this is hilarious, have you seen the level of swing to LD and Con that it would take to get this to happen, our moronic electoral system means that labour would have to get less than 20% of the vote to fall to 3rd.

In terms of a consistent swing, you are of course quite right. Tactical voting in key seats changes everything!

[DANGEROUS TIGER]

Strongly disagree. Their policies have been forged through being the third party, and not therefore sufficiently tested. Moving from third party to Government would be a disaster. That said, a Lib Dem opposition and the resulting collapse of the Labour party would be absolutley hilarious. I could see a swathe of Labour MP's decamping to the Lib Dems if that were to happen.

Probably the first time I have disagreed with you Jon.

What you are saying, basically, is that we can only have a Labour or Tory Government. That equates to political stagnation.

Why would it be a disaster?

Freshness and new policies,would go a long way towards blowing the cobwebs of the mediocre and stagnant policies of the other two main parties, who have played political ping -pong for far too long, at the expense of the ordinary man in the street.

[l444ry]

Can't understand this lemming-like surge towards the Lib Dems based simply on one televised "debate." They are a one man band. I'd like to see Vince Fable and the rest of Clegg's clan exposed for the opportunistic irrelevants that they are. Surely they can't go through the whole campaign without some scrutiny as to their past and present policies, can they?

[Jon the Hat]

Can't understand this lemming-like surge towards the Lib Dems based simply on one televised "debate." They are a one man band. I'd like to see Vince Fable and the rest of Clegg's clan exposed for the opportunistic irrelevants that they are. Surely they can't go through the whole campaign without some scrutiny as to their past and present policies, can they?

Check out the politics show debates on iplayer. They are good value.

[Benji]

Fair play to Osborne today, thought he tackled Darling pretty well when defending Kennith Clarke, maybe he's not the wuss I thought

I see the Daily Telegraph is looking to out/allege Clegg has dodgy finances. Now Clegg's a real candidate, these next couple of weeks are going to be veryyy interesting. Lou mentioned him on the radio earlier having trouble, can't wait for tomorrow night [/sad act].

[DJ Barry Hammond]

Can't understand this lemming-like surge towards the Lib Dems based simply on one televised "debate." They are a one man band. I'd like to see Vince Fable and the rest of Clegg's clan exposed for the opportunistic irrelevants that they are. Surely they can't go through the whole campaign without some scrutiny as to their past and present policies, can they?

Well I can tell you I've been impressed by the Lib Dem's local candidate, not just Clegg, as I sent an email to all three parties asking why I should vote for them - the Lib Dem candidate responded the following morning. A week later and I am yet to hear from the Labour and the Cons candiates and so ok, I may be just one voter, but in what I understand is a marginal I would have thought they would of got someone to send me some sort of reply.

The situation as I see it;

Labour - only cor staunch voters will vote Labour is this election. Everyone else is fed up with the party, Gordon Brown is not likable enough to vote for, and people generally feel its time to give someone else a go. I can only see Labour winning if the Lib Dem's rise in votes snatches what would have been Tory votes to just the right balance for Labour.

Cons - People feel they've seen this trick before from the esteemed leader, they voted for it, and the love story went sower. There's also a few key signs of why people stopped voting Conservative in the first place coming out, and voting for Cameron or some of the upper clase twits in the party just make you feel a bit dirty.

Liberal's - People now know who Clegg is, they now know there's another party. Their idealistic policies may seem far fetched to the those in the know, but most of the voters that count are not in the know and they sound like well thought out and positive ideas (much more than the other two at least). However, the question remains will the people they have impressed actually turn up and then vote for them?

UKIP - Oh my god - my mum mentioned she may vote for them. The acceptable party of racism it seems, I don't understand there appeal, but I expect they will capture enough of the old Tory vote who are disinchanted with Cameron's wishey washey policies that are so New Labour painted blue to make a difference to the overall Conservative vote.

So roll on some change in the form of some yellas, if only to put two fingers up to the Sun and the rest of the Murdoch press!

[Jon the Hat]

Dave's flagship manifesto idea has been described by

(today's guardian)

At least Cameron has some sort of plan to fill the void from the inevitable Public sectors cuts. I have heard nothing on this from either Labour or the Lib Dems, who are still pretending they can do everything despite cutting the deficit.

[Dr The Singh]

At least Cameron has some sort of plan to fill the void from the inevitable Public sectors cuts. I have heard nothing on this from either Labour or the Lib Dems, who are still pretending they can do everything despite cutting the deficit.

Can you tell what sort of plan this is, because from what 've heard all of the politicians plans are about as realistics as those devised by hannibal of the A Team!!

For me people haven't changed people still hold on to allegiances, abit like tribal mentality.....no matter how shit there tribe leader and his policies are, they will still stand by and defend there leader. By the way, this wasn't directed at you Jon!!!

[Sir Fynwy]

Can you tell what sort of plan this is, because from what 've heard all of the politicians plans are about as realistics as those devised by hannibal of the A Team!!

For me people haven't changed people still hold on to allegiances, abit like tribal mentality.....no matter how shit there tribe leader and his policies are, they will still stand by and defend there leader. By the way, this wasn't directed at you Jon!!!

It does seem that most of the 'debate' is coming from people with totally entrenched views and no objectivity, I for one have always voted one way and will happily change this if there is a good case put by any of the main parties, unfortunately I can't see anyone I actually believe has a vote winning pitch that is costed and honest so far in this election. I'm not a fan of not using your vote but I might just have to flip a three headed coin.

[sw_fox]

Clegg will be attacked by both Brown and Cameron relentlessly as they are scared shitless. This will play into Clegg's hands- 'look at these two, they see change and they are frightened' and 'the two old parties are colluding' etc.

Incidentally, I think the Lib Dems have the upper hand on this one- scrapping trident replacement has resounded really well with the electorate, they were the only party opposed to Iraq, and are the closest to the public on Afghanistan.

[marbelladave]

Can you tell what sort of plan this is, because from what 've heard all of the politicians plans are about as realistics as those devised by hannibal of the A Team!!

For me people haven't changed people still hold on to allegiances, abit like tribal mentality.....no matter how shit there tribe leader and his policies are, they will still stand by and defend there leader. By the way, this wasn't directed at you Jon!!!

It is generally understood that most of the electorate always vote the same way and that this reflects their (own, perceived) position in society. (In other words they vote on class.)

Until the last few days it was assumed that this election would be the same, and as always, decided by a small percentage of 'swing' voters. The emergence of the LibDems as a genuine contender, assuming they can keep it up, opens up a world of possibilities and we really are entering uncharted territories. Could get very interesting.

It does seem that most of the 'debate' is coming from people with totally entrenched views and no objectivity, I for one have always voted one way and will happily change this if there is a good case put by any of the main parties, unfortunately I can't see anyone I actually believe has a vote winning pitch that is costed and honest so far in this election. I'm not a fan of not using your vote but I might just have to flip a three headed coin.

The suggestion that any party will make an 'honest' case for themselves is absurd, they will, frankly, say and do anything to get elected than do pretty much whatever they want. Up until now there has been nothing in our parliamentary system to stop them if they have a majority and can keep their MPs in line.

The possibility of a coalition government requires that a consensus is reached by the parties involved and it is just possible that this will limit the excesses of the largest party and produce more ballanced policies that are actually in the countries interest.

It may also stop the major parties 'paying off' their supporters (big business, unions etc) with legislation that panders to their vested interests at the expense of the vast majority of British people.

Like I said, could get interesting!

[Jon the Hat]

Probably the first time I have disagreed with you Jon.

What you are saying, basically, is that we can only have a Labour or Tory Government. That equates to political stagnation.

Why would it be a disaster?

Freshness and new policies,would go a long way towards blowing the cobwebs of the mediocre and stagnant policies of the other two main parties, who have played political ping -pong for far too long, at the expense of the ordinary man in the street.

I just think it best if they are the opposition before they are in Giovernment, or that that are part of a coalition government. It is a big enough step from Opposition into Government. I would bet there are whole swathes of Government that the Lib Dems don't even have a spokesperson for. They just don't have the numbers in Parliament. It would take them months to work out who had actually been elected and what they were interested in or good at...

[Sir Fynwy]

I just think it best if they are the opposition before they are in Giovernment, or that that are part of a coalition government. It is a big enough step from Opposition into Government. I would bet there are whole swathes of Government that the Lib Dems don't even have a spokesperson for. They just don't have the numbers in Parliament. It would take them months to work out who had actually been elected and what they were interested in or good at...

Since when have ministers had to be good at what they do? I have seen little evidence of it, the reshuffles always have a few strange appointments that leave you thinking wtf.

[lou]

Fair play to Osborne today, thought he tackled Darling pretty well when defending Kennith Clarke, maybe he's not the wuss I thought

I see the Daily Telegraph is looking to out/allege Clegg has dodgy finances. Now Clegg's a real candidate, these next couple of weeks are going to be veryyy interesting. Lou mentioned him on the radio earlier having trouble, can't wait for tomorrow night [/sad act].

Trouble is they get the questions for these debates upfront and have time to prep their answers.... when faced with a load of youngsters firing questions at him about his expenses and policies such as allowing anyone who has lived here illegally for over ten years to have British citizenship and claim benefits (and then admitting they had absolutely NO IDEA of how many ppl that would involve) he crumbled ! I dont think hes ready to be PM in any case.

[Sir Fynwy]

Trouble is they get the questions for these debates upfront and have time to prep their answers.... when faced with a load of youngsters firing questions at him about his expenses and policies such as allowing anyone who has lived here illegally for over ten years to have British citizenship and claim benefits (and then admitting they had absolutely NO IDEA of how many ppl that would involve) he crumbled ! I dont think hes ready to be PM in any case.

Not according to the Sky advertising, apparently the questions are unseen prior, there are no scripts and no autoque.

[Dr The Singh]

Not according to the Sky advertising, apparently the questions are unseen prior, there are no scripts and no autoque.

Murdock has given the questions to Cameron beforehand!!!!

[Guest]

Murdock has given the questions to Cameron beforehand!!!!

Even in this case I wouldn't put my house on him being able to pull off convincing answers

[Jon the Hat]

We will see angry Dave tonight I think, after angry George went down well yesterday.

[DANGEROUS TIGER]

I just think it best if they are the opposition before they are in Giovernment, or that that are part of a coalition government. It is a big enough step from Opposition into Government. I would bet there are whole swathes of Government that the Lib Dems don't even have a spokesperson for. They just don't have the numbers in Parliament. It would take them months to work out who had actually been elected and what they were interested in or good at...

Oh dear, Jon, I am certain you are wrong, but hey ho,we must agree to differ.

[Webbo]

How have 11 people already decided who did best in the debate before it's even been held?

[Benji]

How have 11 people already decided who did best in the debate before it's even been held?

no wonder clegg did so well last week, he's got 8 already

[l444ry]

How have 11 people already decided who did best in the debate before it's even been held?

Just what I was thinking. The fact that Clegg is way ahead says it all about their support. Says even more, in that our election has turned into an X Factor event with opinion polls every 5 minutes. Perhaps Leaders Debates aren't such a good thing after all.

[Webbo]

Although it seems to have done the Tories more harm than anyone I still think these debates are a good thing. If it gets people interested/talking about politics and encourages more people to vote it's got to help.