The 2015 Popularity Contest (aka UK General Election )

[Bruce Wayne]

Farcical new arrangements for the TV Election debates.

Agree with George Galloway - totally arbitrary and open to legal challenge.

And it's likely to suit Farage down to the ground. A loud character who can dominate the debate and trot out enough soundbites to get media coverage out of it. With each participant getting less air time due to the increase in numbers, they'll all be dumbing down any debates to soundbite level. What a waste of time.

 

[edge]

And the Official Monster Raving Loony Party still out in the cold.

think here in there on the sly called the green party

 

[Milk]

think here in there on the sly called the green party

That is the nut roast wing of the OMRLP

 

[Caolam]

If you think the TV debates are a farce wait until the DUP, SDLP, Alliance and Sinn Fein get their invites. Then you will really understand the futility of politics.

 

[The Esk]

And it's likely to suit Farage down to the ground. A loud character who can dominate the debate and trot out enough soundbites to get media coverage out of it. With each participant getting less air time due to the increase in numbers, they'll all be dumbing down any debates to soundbite level. What a waste of time.

I disagree re Farage, I think the new arrangements are very poor from his perspective.

Cameron has got exactly what he wanted, he must be favourite in the one to one, and frankly the other debates will now be completely meaningless non-events

 

[Walken]

And it's likely to suit Farage down to the ground. A loud character who can dominate the debate and trot out enough soundbites to get media coverage out of it. With each participant getting less air time due to the increase in numbers, they'll all be dumbing down any debates to soundbite level. What a waste of time.

I watched the clegg/farage debate, not a clegg fan, but was astounded when the public voting declared farage the winner, he didn't say a single thing of substance, and this is my concern regards TV debates

 

[toffee matt]

And it's likely to suit Farage down to the ground. A loud character who can dominate the debate and trot out enough soundbites to get media coverage out of it. With each participant getting less air time due to the increase in numbers, they'll all be dumbing down any debates to soundbite level. What a waste of time.

Think Cameron is the big winner here tbf.

He's now got 3 parties in who will out Left- wing Labour and a one on one with Miliband who he is generally stronger than.

Farage has been booted of the main table and given less air time to attack Cameron from the right

 

[Joey66]

Cameron the chicken -This will backfire. On him now if they go ahead on any. Format he has lost his idea of wanting no TV debates!

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I disagree re Farage, I think the new arrangements are very poor from his perspective.

Cameron has got exactly what he wanted, he must be favourite in the one to one, and frankly the other debates will now be completely meaningless non-events

Yes, agree with that. I wonder if it is almost a sign of the times though? Most European governments are coalitions I believe, and we're probably the outlier in that it's taken so long for it to happen here, but I suspect it will be the norm for a little while to come. If that is the case then this kind of division of votes/attention would seem likely to continue.

 

[L4Everton]

I disagree re Farage, I think the new arrangements are very poor from his perspective.

Cameron has got exactly what he wanted, he must be favourite in the one to one, and frankly the other debates will now be completely meaningless non-events

A stale meringue is favourite vs Milibland.

 

[Joey66]

It will hurt Cameron if any debate goes on TV in any format he has got his tactics to backFire, his chicken ways will haunt him even if all the parties are at the podium!

 

[The Esk]

A stale meringue is favourite vs Milibland.

There are times when he speaks very well. I have seen him a couple of times give very good speeches live, and from time to time he gets under Cameron's skin at PMQ's but in a sterile tv study he won't stand a chance.

 

[Tubey]

Said it since he got the job - under no circumstances will Milliband win an election outright. The only reason this election is close is because Milliband is in charge of Labour and has absolutely no ability to capitalise on a massive recession and deep dip in living standards amongst the electorate during the government he is challenging.

Inept isn't the word for him. Nobody looking at his stupid face in the live debates will take him seriously - Labour should have ditched him a good three years ago, or preferably gone with his slightly less stupid but more marketable brother from the offset.

If Burnham or even the politically correct but useless Umunna was in charge, this election would be a formality for Labour. The circumstances in front of them are even more favourable than it was Blair in 1997 and they've took no advantage of it whatsoever.

 

[Milk]

Said it since he got the job - under no circumstances will Milliband win an election outright. The only reason this election is close is because Milliband is in charge of Labour and has absolutely no ability to capitalise on a massive recession and deep dip in living standards amongst the electorate during the government he is challenging.

Inept isn't the word for him. Nobody looking at his stupid face in the live debates will take him seriously - Labour should have ditched him a good three years ago, or preferably gone with his slightly less stupid but more marketable brother from the offset.

If Burnham or even the politically correct but useless Umunna was in charge, this election would be a formality for Labour. The circumstances in front of them are even more favourable than it was Blair in 1997 and they've took no advantage of it whatsoever.

No Balls?

 

[Jxg]

I wonder why that is.

Yeah, I do too. Isn't it terribly unfair? I mean, Labour have welcomed ex-BNP representatives with open arms into their party! Surely UKIP should take this stance and follow suit, right?