TV Election debates - how are they doing?

Clegg came over as a 1st year pupil on his first day of secondary school - all he wanted to do was make friends but doesn't have a clue what the next 4 - 8 years will be like.

Did anyone else pick up on his utterly moronic suggestion?

[paraphrase]"We should all get together regardless of the outcome and show the country the real finance, where money is spent, the black holes..."

Does that man have the slightest idea what that would do? Regular joe bloggs on the street (thanks to Labour SPEND SPEND SPEND and poor education maths system) cant even balance his own credit card or manage debt. What POSSIBLE outcome do you think there would be when the public see the level of debt this country is in published in black and white on a huge Excel spreadsheet of figures? Oh yea another recession .. awesome idea Nick!
 
JBod said:
Clegg came over as a 1st year pupil on his first day of secondary school - all he wanted to do was make friends but doesn't have a clue what the next 4 - 8 years will be like.

Did anyone else pick up on his utterly moronic suggestion?

[paraphrase]"We should all get together regardless of the outcome and show the country the real finance, where money is spent, the black holes..."

Does that man have the slightest idea what that would do? Regular joe bloggs on the street (thanks to Labour SPEND SPEND SPEND and poor education maths system) cant even balance his own credit card or manage debt. What POSSIBLE outcome do you think there would be when the public see the level of debt this country is in published in black and white on a huge Excel spreadsheet of figures? Oh yea another recession .. awesome idea Nick!
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Thank god you're not in politics.
 
I've always voted BNP but for the very first time after that i'm voting lib dem , Nick is a really strong speaker and connects with the people. It's just a shame he doesn't have much clout behind him and people either stick with labour or conserv.
 
After watching the Debate I think Nick Clegg definately came out on top, followed by Cameron, however Cameron just seems a little slimy (I'd much rather they kept Haig). The only major issue I saw with his speeches was the undercurrent of the massive shakeup of our military. I get the feeling if he came to power he would cut the defence budget overall, however provide more equipment for our land forces by not only cutting the Trident system but probably also a large amount of our Navy (probably starting with one or both of the new Carriers) and Air defence. It will look good though as the people on the ground at the moment will have more equipment, scrap the future!

meghatronic said:
There are lots of mine - and other's comments in the other thread. But I disagree with scrapping nuclear power and nuclear weapons, increasing the tax threshold to £10k, "mansion tax", surrendering policy to the EU, breaking up the banks, max bank cash bonus of £2500, scrapping tuition fees, minimum alcohol pricing, fully elected Lords, voting at 16, adopting the Euro, and so on, mainly on cost grounds, but also on logic.
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And this is why I will probably end up voting Conservative (not that my vote will count, i'm in a staunch Labour area). The lib dems always seem good, but so many of their policies stink, especially regarding Europe.

Energize said:
Our system does not deter rogue states ran by insane people like North Korea, nor does it assure destruction of countries like China and Russia, it could be scaled down considerably.
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And how would you plan to scale it down? Or by scale down do you mean remove? How can you scale down about half a dozen subs and 200 nulear warheads, bearing in mind most of the money will be in the R&D of the subs and systems, not the building. In other words the only way to scale it down in real terms would be to scrap it.
 
meghatronic said:
The usual way to criticise someone is to explain why you disagree with that they said.
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I'm not interested in getting involved in a huge debate. Needless to say, the notion that the true scale of the national debt should be kept secret from the public, save the gullible masses getting whipped up into a frenzy by the media, is a stupid one.
 
Looking through this thread, it's terrifying how many people are considering basing their vote on the result of a TV debate.

How about looking at some manifestos? Reading about the three main parties and their policies, and how they've performed historically?

We're looking for someone to run the country, not look the best on TV. Truly frightening stuff. *shakes head*
 
Tute said:
Looking through this thread, it's terrifying how many people are considering basing their vote on the result of a TV debate.

How about looking at some manifestos? Reading about the three main parties and their policies, and how they've performed historically?

We're looking for someone to run the country, not look the best on TV. Truly frightening stuff. *shakes head*
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Like it or not, elections are won and lost on a combination of personality and policy.

It's alarming that you would presume that everyone who has commented in this thread isn't familiar with each party's manifesto. *shakes fist*
 
Tute said:
Looking through this thread, it's terrifying how many people are considering basing their vote on the result of a TV debate.

How about looking at some manifestos? Reading about the three main parties and their policies, and how they've performed historically?

We're looking for someone to run the country, not look the best on TV. Truly frightening stuff. *shakes head*
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I suspect, over half the voters that watch the debates will be using them as their decider. Which is why I am apposed to them.
 
slylittlefox said:
I'm not interested in getting involved in a huge debate. Needless to say, the notion that the true scale of the national debt should be kept secret from the public, save the gullible masses getting whipped up into a frenzy by the media, is a stupid one.
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Someone doesn't understand economics and public opinion - or even how a recession works.

You do realise it is all just a balancing act of confidence? You destroy that confidence or even cast a little bit of doubt and people stop spending money.

When enough people go "actually you know what? I can stay in this house another year or two, lets see what happens" bad things happen.
 
I do wonder what historical performance really has to do with anything really. It's a bit like judging a man after meeting his father...

There are no Lib Dems who have ever been in the party when it was in power in the party now and very few Conservatives so it's not even like they could make much impact. Follow on with the fact the parties have all changed massively in the last 20 years...

Their current policies and membership is FAR more important IMO.
 
Tute said:
Looking through this thread, it's terrifying how many people are considering basing their vote on the result of a TV debate.

How about looking at some manifestos? Reading about the three main parties and their policies, and how they've performed historically?

We're looking for someone to run the country, not look the best on TV. Truly frightening stuff. *shakes head*
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Furthermore, the exact reason that Cameron has took a beating in this debate is because it's finally become obvious how much of a PR led spin doctor whipped leader he is.

The very fact that he tried his hardest to 'come over the best on TV' (what with his 30 second sickeningly false preamble to every question about just how much he adores the armed forces, nurses, old people, etc) has done him out of a lot of votes, and won Clegg an awful lot for the opposite.
 
slylittlefox said:
Like it or not, elections are won and lost on a combination of personality and policy.

It's alarming that you would presume that everyone who has commented in this thread isn't familiar with each party's manifesto. *shakes fist*
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I'm not presuming anything, but i've seen posts in here that suggest people are voting based on what they've just seen.

Certainly, of the three leaders, there are varying degrees of ability with regards to public speaking. But that's not what we're looking for to run the damn country, are we?

slylittlefox said:
Furthermore, the exact reason that Cameron has took a beating in this debate is because it's finally become obvious how much of a PR led spin doctor whipped leader he is.

The very fact that he tried his hardest to 'come over the best on TV' (what with his 30 second sickeningly false preamble to every question about just how much he adores the armed forces, nurses, old people, etc) has done him out of a lot of votes, and won Clegg an awful lot for the opposite.
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I agree, and it struck me as 90 minutes of bickering between DC and GB with NC stood outside criticising the pair of them.

But how can anyone honestly base a vote on the ability to speak publicly? Some are better at it than others, but it's not a skill I think is required to run a country.
 
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JBod said:
Someone doesn't understand economics and public opinion - or even how a recession works.

You do realise it is all just a balancing act of confidence? You destroy that confidence or even cast a little bit of doubt and people stop spending money.

When enough people go "actually you know what? I can stay in this house another year or two, lets see what happens" bad things happen.
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Well considering most people think we are in the worst state of pretty much any european country showing the real figures and comparing them if necessary should actually help. Even if it just shows we aren't anywhere near as bad as the current tabloids make us think we are.
 
slylittlefox said:
Furthermore, the exact reason that Cameron has took a beating in this debate is because it's finally become obvious how much of a PR led spin doctor whipped leader he is.

The very fact that he tried his hardest to 'come over the best on TV' (what with his 30 second sickeningly false preamble to every question about just how much he adores the armed forces, nurses, old people, etc) has done him out of a lot of votes, and won Clegg an awful lot for the opposite.
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Cameron tried to be the nice guy by not attacking anyone. It didn't work.
 
JBod said:
Someone doesn't understand economics and public opinion - or even how a recession works.

You do realise it is all just a balancing act of confidence? You destroy that confidence or even cast a little bit of doubt and people stop spending money.

When enough people go "actually you know what? I can stay in this house another year or two, lets see what happens" bad things happen.
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Whilst what you're saying holds some truth, the fact that you so freely condescend detracts from it.

Again, I'm glad you're not in politics.
 
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