Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
#1
Peter Mandelson today, on Sky news, indicated that there will be a debate between the Party Leaders during the next election....
In the past such debates have been avoided in the UK by sitting PMs and advocated by opposition leaders.
Problem is within a hour of Mandelson saying this no10 poured cold water on the idea.
I can see Mandy's thinking. Received wisdom is that debates benefit the underdog and there is not much doubt now that when the election starts Brown will be that underdog. A debate, in his mind, will be a desperate attempt to claw back ground in the hope that DC and not Brown has a slip of the tongue that would breathe new life into the Labour campaign.
There is a flaw in that argument. Look back at PMQs - it is Brown who has repeated 'slips of the tongue', remember 'I saved the world' for one! Cameron on the other hand is very sure footed and wins most encounters hands down.
In addition Brown is a very poor communicator, remember his embarrassing U-Tube forays. The more the public see of Brown the more he turns them off, whereas it is the opposite for DC, he really is a master at communicating and very good on tv.
Mandelson, who seems to be Minister for Everything these days and, I believe, the 'acting PM' at this point in the holidays, may well get his way with this desperate throw of the dice despite the official line from no10. Be assured though, if a debate is arranged it will really indicate a desperate Brown.
Bring it on I say - a debate between the main 3 party leaders will envigorate and focus an election campaign.
Right now I do believe that Cameron and the Conservatives have a distinct advantage, but once the genie is out of the bottle such debates will be expected at every election and the advantage may well one day be the other way around....
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#3
all sounds very american to me.
debating skills are one thing, running the country is another.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#5
i rather suspect that you are right on this one sid.
let us hope that there is no debate, it will be totally cringe making, neither candidate is up there with the great orators.
#6
Oh for a Churchill, Foot or Benn. Someone with a brain and a wit and something like a proper vocabulary, and a smidge of charm to tie it all up. Mo Mowlam, Barbara Castle even poor old M Heseltine had a few words at his dispoal.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
#8
It has been said it will be a damp sqiub.
The party leaders would be better getting a;ll there MP's and themselves to re engage with the general public.
This public point scoring will do little for POLITICS which Is my fear, they could do so much more,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
#9
Bern
You missed out old Dennis Healey...shame on you. I think these type of debates are more interesting for what the politicians don't say rather than what they do say.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
