The Beeb hosted today’s debate, and after the Clegg bandwagon of the first debate, and the checking if he was still strong of the last debate, this debate should have been mostly about policy. The main part of this debate was on the economy, something which affects EVERYONE and to which all parties (Though Lib Dem would disagree) have not shed the 100% truth on. This should be Labour’s strong point, and I expected them to take the stage and leave the others sobbing in the corner...
David Cameron opened strongly and confidently. He didn’t seem to annoy me with his stare down the camera this week as much. Nick Clegg kept looking down at his notes – not the best of openings but spoke well nonetheless. The Big “G” spoke very, very strongly and powerfully. He certainly had the most convincing opening.
Nick Clegg on the first question spoke to the questioner and already started poking the others in the ribs. He also did say that he tried to spell out everything, but not all could be said at this time. I very much liked his idea of getting all party chancellors and vice-chancellors together with the BofE. Gordon spoke very well and strong once again. He spoke sense and told David straight: he is getting it wrong. There was even a shot of his big smirking face which was absolutely hilarious <3 I quite frankly had to turn away from David Cameron...”I believe...I believe”...It’s not enough to “believe” Mr Cameron... He really was quite irritating.
On the next question, Nick spoke sense about the ordinary person. He knows that the ordinary person is struggling and will continue to struggle to in the future. David was, of expected, trying to come up with imaginative ways of taxing the poor and keeping the rich rich. Gordon spelled out what he was going to do, and cleared the air over what was perceived to be done, mainly over what DC had said.
I started getting bored here. I happily watch Question Time most weeks, I love debates. But I simply stopped taking notes...I was BORED :S
From what I heard, David wasn’t any more convincing than previous to this, and both Gordon and Nick were storming away in front.
I decided to tune myself back into the debate on the “offices and shops” industry question. Nick Clegg was strong on banks lending and helping to businesses, which I agree is key to expanding businesses and creating new jobs across the UK. Gordon related the question back to the area and regional industry and spoke about what needs to be done. He mentioned green power and faster broadband, which both appealed to me very much. David actually started speaking a bit of sense, I stress a bit... He just kept dodging questions, which did annoy me a lot.
Both parties seemed to almost blank out Nick Clegg. This only gave him the upper edge like in the first debate as he can air his views without having them questioned or picked apart. Bad decision Mr Brown and Mr Cameron.
I‘ll quickly sum up each other area covered below:
* Gordon Brown and David Cameron were much stronger on immigration than Nick. Nick really didn’t explain well, and could have misled many people. DC was probably the strongest for once, though kept avoiding the question.
* On homes and homeowners, David Cameron’s part rent, part mortgage idea is very good and would benefit many thousands of people wanting to get on the housing ladder. Nick Clegg’s support of council houses I think is wrong. Having lived in a council house for a large part of my life, and ultimately being kicked out for little-to-no-reason, this causes more **** than it solves (apologies for language). Gordon didn’t say enough to justify a complete sentan...
* Gordon’s talk of getting people off benefits and back to work was very strong, and almost makes me put a symbol of love...<3...there it is. He really is strong on employment and benefits. David didn’t offer anything new to the debate, just said that there has been 13 years of Labour and very little change. Nick linked back to question with good, but not strong, points. Gordon wins by far on this point.
I decided to stop taking notes here and just listen and watch.
Who did I think won this debate? Well, this was probably the most varied and hardest to decide of the 3 so far. All performed good, bad and ok at different points, but Gordon just edged it, closely followed by Nick and David last.
These debates have transformed politics forever, and have made the fact of 1 in 3 people only knowing Nick Clegg's name now needing to be recalculated. What a great addition to this now modern social-political era of parliament. Of course, Nick Clegg overall has benefited and has been strongest overall, and he well deserves it.
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