The leaders debate

[Filo]

I think the welsh and Scots have performed well in the dabate, Farage just blamed everyting on the immigrants, Clegg stuck the boot into his mate Cameron straight away, Cameron squirmed his way through it and used his disabled Son as a political weapon Milliband was steady all the way through. I expect the Tories rating in the polls will to drop after tonight

[BillyStubbsTears]

Never mind all that. There's something about Julie Etchingham in glasses and the thought of holding an election...

[Dutch Uncle]

Never mind all that. There's something about Julie Etchingham in glasses and the thought of holding an election...

Are we supposed to be reading that with an imaginary Japanese accent BST?

[BillyStubbsTears]

Maybe...in my case it's just that my mouth has ceased to function correctly

[GazLaz]

NS performed exceptionally I thought. Excellent points put over naturally and not like rehearsed soundbites.

[Bentley Bullet]

Never mind all that. There's something about Julie Etchingham in glasses and the thought of holding an election...

Are we supposed to be reading that with an imaginary Japanese accent BST?

Mass debating can have that effect.

[Savvy]

Thought Farage did well, clearly there is going to be no outright winner, so a UKIP/Labour alliance is the best we can hope for!

[The Red Baron]

Even though I don't agree with much of what she said I  thought Sturgeon was the best performer. Miliband could have done with a bit more of her passion and fewer of his rehearsed soundbites.

Cameron got through without any major slip-ups and he'll be quite happy with that.

[IC1967]

Sturgeon did well so further hastening the demise of Labour in Scotland. Clegg did well again thus making sure he will win his seat in Sheffield. I thought Clegg and Sturgeon were the most relaxed. The Green woman was overawed at first but got better. Milliband was on the defensive a lot and was always changing the subject. Nige banged on too much about immigration. The Welsh woman seemed a nice lady.

[BobG]

You what Savvy? Lol. I'd love to see that! I can imagine the fireworks now. It'll never happen. Any Labour leader who bought into an alliance with Farage's gang would have signed his own death warrant. Farage can only ally himself with the Tories, a collection of minor parties or an ever more desparate Clegg....

And BB. That is an absolute classic! Super top marks

BobG

[IC1967]

Apparently the Labour spinners in the room next to the debate were very gloomy after watching Milliband's performance. He didn't do enough to convince people he would be a good prime minister.

[The Red Baron]

Thought Farage did well, clearly there is going to be no outright winner, so a UKIP/Labour alliance is the best we can hope for!

Strange bedfellows indeed!

[The Red Baron]

Apparently the Labour spinners in the room next to the debate were very gloomy after watching Milliband's performance. He didn't do enough to convince people he would be a good prime minister.

As I said, I think his problem was that he'd rehearsed a number of soundbites and then delivered them at various points. He sounded more like he was addressing an election rally than taking part in a debate.

[IC1967]

Apparently the Labour spinners in the room next to the debate were very gloomy after watching Milliband's performance. He didn't do enough to convince people he would be a good prime minister.

As I said, I think his problem was that he'd rehearsed a number of soundbites and then delivered them at various points. He sounded more like he was addressing an election rally than taking part in a debate.

Bang on. He doesn't answer questions. No wonder the Labour spinners were gloomy.

https://yougov.co.uk/news/2015/04/02/leaders-debate/

[The Red Baron]

Never mind all that. There's something about Julie Etchingham in glasses and the thought of holding an election...

Of course Julie Etchingham, but I thought Leanne Wood was gorgeous.

[Filo]

How does an Australian get to be leader of the Greens?

I bet Farage was repulsed to be sharing a stage with an immigrant

[coventryrover]

The women were superb;passionate and honest.

The fellas were just too rehearsed, too safe and too many soy bites. 

[The Red Baron]

Another point of difference with the female leaders was that they were all clearly to the left of the men, Miliband included. It may be a problem for Labour, especially in Scotland and Wales.

In the past the Nationalists have taken votes across the political spectrum. Now they have both pitched camp to the Left of Labour, they will probably take votes disproportionately from left-leaning voters.

[Mike_F]

Never mind all that. There's something about Julie Etchingham in glasses and the thought of holding an election...

Of course Julie Etchingham, but I thought Leanne Wood was gorgeous.

I'm with you on that one. Add your own "Cymru" jokes here.

[BillyStubbsTears]

TRB

They have moved into the territory that Labour vacated in the mid-90s and Clegg vacated in 2010. The SNP in particular have been canny on that score. But then, they will say anything to anyone to advance the cause of independence. If Scotland were a right wing country, Salmond would be their Farage.

[The Red Baron]

Although Salmond has shown himself willing to bend almost any fact to support the case for independence, I'm not sure I agree with you about his political stance. He spent much of his early career in the SNP arguing for a  consistently left -wing message.

At that time the Nats were often characterised as "Tartan Tories" and although they harvested votes in rural areas and the Highlands they struggled to make inroads into the Central Belt. In many ways Salmond's success in dragging the party to the left was wonderfully opportune as it coincided with Tony Blair moving Labour in the opposite direction.

The lovely Leanne Wood appears to be copying the Salmond model in Wales. Plaid Cymru strongholds were often in the north and in rural areas but now they offer a direct, left-wing challenge to Labour, particularly in the Valleys.

[Dare to dream!]

Thought Nicola Sturgeon came across very well. Farage looked even more a dick and Miliband as TRB said sounded too rehearsed.

Was interesting how Cameron wasn't keen to enagage and was silent for most parts.

[hoolahoop]

Never mind all that. There's something about Julie Etchingham in glasses and the thought of holding an election...

Good call something similar crossed my mind too. She was well in control , a proper dominatrix.
Back to the debate , I'm not sure quite what to make of it ? One thing though its more shark than Sturgeon. I can't see her being able to work with the 'Eds' in any form of minority government so its got to be 'balls out' for the Labour Party.
Garage is just an idiot though a 'one dimensional' cheap MF politician . Talk about schoolboy amateur dramatics !!

[GazLaz]

Never mind all that. There's something about Julie Etchingham in glasses and the thought of holding an election...

Of course Julie Etchingham, but I thought Leanne Wood was gorgeous.

I'm with you on that one. Add your own "Cymru" jokes here.

I think you fellas need to move to scotland and claim your free eye test!!!

[Dutch Uncle]

With regards to the debate I felt the leaders of the larger parties had decided that the election could not be won at the debates, but it could be lost. Hence all that playing safe, while the smaller party leaders were much less inhibited, and thus much better - except Farage who made no impression.

[Donnywolf]

How does an Australian get to be leader of the Greens?

Hope she swam it .. to enhance her Green credentials !

[BillyStubbsTears]

For someone who us supposed to be a breath of fresh air and a break from normal politics, Sturgeon doesn't half do the "I will twist facts remorselessly for political advantage" thing to perfection.

Today she's said.
"A matter of simple arithmetic says if the SNP and Labour combined have more seats than the Tories we lock the Tories out of government."

Utter bullshit. The LDs and DUP have both said they will negotiate FIRST with the largest party.

So, consider two alternative scenarios.

1)
Con 290
Lab 270
SNP 49
LD 30
DUP 8


A Tory/LD/DUP group has a majority. And the LDs and DUP will be negotiating with the Tories to form a Govt.

b)
Con 290
Lab 310
LD 30
SNP 10
DUP 8

Now a Lab/LD agreement looks stuck on to result in a stable Govt.

The SNP have made lying while appearing to be honest and above the fray into an art form. They are reassuring the Scottish electorate that they can vote SNP and be protected from a Tory-led Govt. It is barefaced lying. But then again, the SNP don't really care about the consequences for Scots as long as they advance the historic independence agenda. That's why they were prepared to foist utterly catastrophic economic policies on the Scots (Euro, Celtic Tiger model, Sterling Area, oil-based finances). Not because they would help the Scots. Because they were popular and would help the SNP gain traction.

A risible bunch of mendacious chancers, leading honest people up the garden path.

[The Red Baron]

Well, we know where she gets it from, don't we? She is Salmond's protege and anointed successor.

I thought she performed well in the debate, but of course it was reminiscent of how Nick Clegg was able to play the popular outsider five years ago. Nick is still one of the big boys now, and so he spent his time trying to convince the audience of the merits of another coalition.

[The Red Baron]

Thought Nicola Sturgeon came across very well. Farage looked even more a dick and Miliband as TRB said sounded too rehearsed.

Was interesting how Cameron wasn't keen to enagage and was silent for most parts.

Cameron was just keen to get through without making any major gaffes. On the whole he managed it pretty well. No-one seems to be saying "did you see Cameron last night." Of course, his spin doctors would say that the detachment was him looking Prime Ministerial!

[IC1967]

For someone who us supposed to be a breath of fresh air and a break from normal politics, Sturgeon doesn't half do the "I will twist facts remorselessly for political advantage" thing to perfection.

Today she's said.
"A matter of simple arithmetic says if the SNP and Labour combined have more seats than the Tories we lock the Tories out of government."

Utter bullshit. The LDs and DUP have both said they will negotiate FIRST with the largest party.

So, consider two alternative scenarios.

1)
Con 290
Lab 270
SNP 49
LD 30
DUP 8


A Tory/LD/DUP group has a majority. And the LDs and DUP will be negotiating with the Tories to form a Govt.

b)
Con 290
Lab 310
LD 30
SNP 10
DUP 8

Now a Lab/LD agreement looks stuck on to result in a stable Govt.

The SNP have made lying while appearing to be honest and above the fray into an art form. They are reassuring the Scottish electorate that they can vote SNP and be protected from a Tory-led Govt. It is barefaced lying. But then again, the SNP don't really care about the consequences for Scots as long as they advance the historic independence agenda. That's why they were prepared to foist utterly catastrophic economic policies on the Scots (Euro, Celtic Tiger model, Sterling Area, oil-based finances). Not because they would help the Scots. Because they were popular and would help the SNP gain traction.

A risible bunch of mendacious chancers, leading honest people up the garden path.

You do make me laugh. The bit I've highlighted in bold sums up the Labour party as well. You're comments from the moral high ground are ridiculous as Labour most definitely do not occupy this hallowed turf.