I don’t imagine many people will be tuning in to the next debate. No major gaffs and no outbreaks of physical violence. It was a sadly professional performance from all three leaders.
Gordon Brown’s strength is also his weakness. He has a robotic remorselessness which both fascinates and repels. For someone so calculated, he comes over as sincere. If an actor was playing an alien controlled robot PM he would be less artificial for fear of being too obvious. I didn’t hear any new policy from him. Just his favourite contrast between Labour largesse and uncaring Tory cuts. He barely acknowledged the level of overspending. Left in control of the country it’s clear that he will take us ever deeper into debt.
Nick Clegg played the cheeky challenger well, exulting in his free pass to the top table. He won the anti-politics accolade and received warm approval from my twelve year old.
David Cameron, as the man in front, had the most to lose. He was assured but landed no knock out punches. He clearly beat Gordon Brown and, for his advisors and those of us who know how much we need change, that is the only thing that matters.
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I got to watch the edited highlights, hubby watched them with me but listened to the debate on Radio in full. He said the impact was subtly different with the visual clues added (Nick Clegg looked very relaxed for example, David’s gestures were at times a little repetitive, Gordon looked at least as bad as he sounded).
Definitely felt like a two horse race….and Labour wasn’t in it.
My review looks a little wide of the mark now. I may have found it a little dull but it’s had an electrifying impact on the election. Are we to be the X Factor nation? Governed by the most popular bloke on the night? I’d better get back to campaigning.