UK Prime Ministerial candidate debate

[Gandalf]

I know quite a lot about this crap . Feel free to ask any questions relating to processes etc. I have a politics degree don't you know?

With your expertise in these opposame matters, can you tell me who is most likely to "win" the next debate?

The yellow man is now 1/2 favourite (5/2 blue 5/1 red). Now that people know who the yellow man is, surely that puts him under the cosh for the next show?

Do you think a blue or red bet is value? Thanks.

Haha, Ryanman has the same degree as me. But the truth is that history and politics is the most pointless of all subjects that anyone could ever study. It leads nowhere. Only to intelligent people saying "why did my intelligence lead nowhere?" It can lead somewhere, but nowhere beyond the music store.

This is part of the con. We all need education! Do we fuck! We don't need an education. But the government fed that shit for too many years.

Just make sure you don't vote Labour nor Tory...or you are commiting suicide. At least the Lib Dems suggest some hope.

[ryanman]

I know quite a lot about this crap . Feel free to ask any questions relating to processes etc. I have a politics degree don't you know?

With your expertise in these opposame matters, can you tell me who is most likely to "win" the next debate?

The yellow man is now 1/2 favourite (5/2 blue 5/1 red). Now that people know who the yellow man is, surely that puts him under the cosh for the next show?

Do you think a blue or red bet is value? Thanks.

Haha, Ryanman has the same degree as me. But the truth is that history and politics is the most pointless of all subjects that anyone could ever study. It leads nowhere. Only to intelligent people saying "why did my intelligence lead nowhere?" It can lead somewhere, but nowhere beyond the music store.

This is part of the con. We all need education! Do we fuck! We don't need an education. But the government fed that shit for too many years.

Just make sure you don't vote Labour nor Tory...or you are commiting suicide. At least the Lib Dems suggest some hope.

You are very right about the pointlessness of a Politics degree Miles...If only I knew in advance! I wish I studied a vocational subject. Still perhaps I can put it to use to earn Fenster some money. (see next post).

[ryanman]

I know quite a lot about this crap . Feel free to ask any questions relating to processes etc. I have a politics degree don't you know?

With your expertise in these opposame matters, can you tell me who is most likely to "win" the next debate?

The yellow man is now 1/2 favourite (5/2 blue 5/1 red). Now that people know who the yellow man is, surely that puts him under the cosh for the next show?

Do you think a blue or red bet is value? Thanks.

A few factors to consider here (as ever).
All things been equal I would still expect Clegg to 'win' the next debate due to some of the same factors that 'won' him the first debate, but by a much smaller margin as he now has expectations on him.
But the theme of the next debate is 'international issues' - something which should favour the incumbant (ie Brown). This theme should hurt Cameron as he has no actual experience on such matters and will be seen as a bit of a novice/lightweight on such issues. This is obviously an issue for Clegg too but he will be hurt less because the Lib Dems opposed the war in Iraq.

In terms of who I think will do best in the next debate I'm quite sure it will be Brown. But in terms of who will 'win' (as decided by polls) it will probably be Clegg again. I happen to think that in terms of who did best last night it was Clegg, Brown then Cameron. But the polls don't reflect that. That is Brown's main problem - the residual dislike of him plus the fact that the incumbant is the only one that has something to defend. He will have to absolutely kick arse to be given the win. But, I think that he represents a better shot than Cameron on this next debate. Basically because Cameron is caught between two stools. He can't attack Brown's foreign policies because he supported most of them but he also doesn't get the 'better the devil you know' effect that plays quite strongly in international issues.

So, in summary, Clegg is the safe bet but Brown is the value. Just don't back Cameron. (although Cameron probably has a better chance of coming second than Brown does, but has less chance of winning. Fenster will know what I mean).

[superheavyrhun]

With the theme for the next episode being international issues, here's how I think it'll go, and how I think Clegg has to be more careful in this one.

Afghanistan :- Here we'll be getting a middle of the road line for all parties, a swift withdrawal would be construed as reckless and leaving the Afghanis to the Taliban, whilst looking at it as too permanent occupation is likely to raise cost implication arguments. Phased withdrawal all-round. Expect Cameron to attack Brown again regarding helicopters and equipment, and whilst those two bicker Clegg will come out well.

Iran & North Korea :- This is where I think Clegg could trip himself up a little. If he bangs the anti-trident drum too much he might lose some support, he needs to emphasise the international co-operation side, and that action by all other nations together will be more effective at solving problems than a few nuclear warheads. Expect Brown and Cameron to argue over the small details whilst both supporting keeping trident because we need the deterrent, whether it makes lesser nations to aspire to being nuclear powers or not.

Europe and US :- Not sure if the tories are as anti-europe as they used to be, but I'm sure Cameron will attack regarding the amendments to the European constitution which were passed through without referendum, whilst Clegg and Brown posture whilst maintaining the status quo. As for the US, they'll all want to maintain the special relationship without excluding the rest of the world.

I think Brown is going to get hammered in this one, there's been too many mistakes internationally in the last 13 years for him to come out on top. I'd say Cameron's the value bet but Clegg a strong favourite again.

[Gandalf]

I think Clegg is firm favourite for the next round. The anti war position immediately has him ahead of the other parties and I think most intelligent people see the fallacy behind the Iraq war and the flaws in reasoning in how the Afghan conflict was approached. I don't see how Clegg can mess this one up. Both Labour and the Tories blur too much on these issues and the Lib Dems stand totally apart.

I think the Iran issue is a load of BS. It's an American manufactured non issue. But of course Britain, the humble lapdog wants to look look cute in the eyes of the Americans. I think the biggest threat to peace in the Middle East is Israel which is conveniently allowed it's own stockpile of nuclear weapons, breaks international law and is creating a new apartheid. I would really like a party to take a step back on this issue and tell it for what it is, but it won't happen. Every sensible nation will be trying to build nuclear weapons and that is understandable in this unreasonable age of pre-emptive strikes. North Korea should have been dealt with far more forcibly than Iraq.....but nothing....ahh no resources whatsover! Britain should really keep out of international affairs and let America implode on its own. There will be no radical voice on these issues though which is a shame.

The Lib Dems seem very much in favour of EU integration and I think this is pretty much agreed within each of the parties. I don't think the Tories are in any way as hardline as they used to be. They have become a much more pragmatic party just like Labour. I'm not really convinced on the issue of Europe myself. I see the good and the bad and struggle to get righteous about it.

[Gandalf]

The polls suggest that Clegg has made an impact. A 3 horse race now, I'm fine with that. Just as long as the two main ones slip as much as possible.

Lib Dems leapfrog Labour in polls - Yahoo! News UK

[HattonTheHammer]

The polls suggest that Clegg has made an impact. A 3 horse race now, I'm fine with that. Just as long as the two main ones slip as much as possible.

Lib Dems leapfrog Labour in polls - Yahoo! News UK

wouldnt look to much into that milo. If that poll is indeed right im pretty sure labour mantain power on the basis they`ll have more electoral seats.

the general concensous from all the polls totalled up tends to suggest its more like 38%-tory, 32%-labour, 22%-libdem, 8%-others (UKIP, green, SNP, BNP etc)

[Cressa121]

The polls suggest that Clegg has made an impact. A 3 horse race now, I'm fine with that. Just as long as the two main ones slip as much as possible.

Lib Dems leapfrog Labour in polls - Yahoo! News UK

wouldnt look to much into that milo. If that poll is indeed right im pretty sure labour mantain power on the basis they`ll have more electoral seats.

the general concensous from all the polls totalled up tends to suggest its more like 38%-tory, 32%-labour, 22%-libdem, 8%-others (UKIP, green, SNP, BNP etc)

Yeah I read this morning that if the Yahoo polls were replicated in the election then Labour will still have to majority of seats in the House of Commons despite polling lower than the Lib Dems and Conservatives. I think they'd have something like 248 seats compared to just over 200 for the Tories and about 130 for the Lib Dems, although I can't remember the exact figures.

Hard to judge after that debate, Clegg definitley came across the best and put the Lib Dems out there as a viable alternative. I actually thought Cameron fared the worst, some of his policies were slaughtered and he didn't really answer many questions about what he would do e.g the immigration cap. What type of cap are we looking at? How would it work exactly? Whats the point in saying what you want to do if you can't back it up with a workable plan, or include at least rough figures of what we'd be looking at in terms of cuts or limits etc.

I agree with those that said considering the circumstances, Gordon Brown did well. He was always going to get the other 2 saying "you've had 13 years, why are you only suggesting this now?"

Clegg should do well again in the next debate, although I think he wants further integration within Europe, which may dent some support as there seems to be a lot of negativity towards the EU among the public. Brown's going to have to attempt to defend the indefensible in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, and I don't think anyone's going to buy his BS when it comes to these topics. Should be interesting to see what he has to say on these issues.

[Master]

Did you see the way Brown was cosying up to Glegg. You know what they will do when there is a hung parliament.

[Gandalf]

The polls suggest that Clegg has made an impact. A 3 horse race now, I'm fine with that. Just as long as the two main ones slip as much as possible.

Lib Dems leapfrog Labour in polls - Yahoo! News UK

wouldnt look to much into that milo. If that poll is indeed right im pretty sure labour mantain power on the basis they`ll have more electoral seats.

the general concensous from all the polls totalled up tends to suggest its more like 38%-tory, 32%-labour, 22%-libdem, 8%-others (UKIP, green, SNP, BNP etc)

True, only early days yet, but a glimmer of hope for those that care. I despise the British first past the post system though.

I was reading this interesting article today looking at the unspoken issue of Afghanistan. I might have started my idiots in the military thread, but you know, I would sooner have no wars and would certainly much rather have nobody in the military being killed for what is no more than an imperial measure to secure future gas reserves. Over 40 British troops dead this year already. And nobody is talking about it. They should be though, the war is 9 years old and no end is in sight.

Afghanistan: A conspiracy of silence - UK Politics, UK - The Independent

[Gandalf]

Did you see the way Brown was cosying up to Glegg. You know what they will do when there is a hung parliament.

They hang all the MP's?

[FTMatty]

I like Nick Clegg as a leader, but a vote for his party would make me poorer due to cuts in Child Tax Credits etc.
The other two parties will make sure Clegg doesn't get an easy ride in the the next debate.

[Howlin Mad Missy]

I know quite a lot about this crap . Feel free to ask any questions relating to processes etc. I have a politics degree don't you know?

With your expertise in these opposame matters, can you tell me who is most likely to "win" the next debate?

The yellow man is now 1/2 favourite (5/2 blue 5/1 red). Now that people know who the yellow man is, surely that puts him under the cosh for the next show?

Do you think a blue or red bet is value? Thanks.

Haha, Ryanman has the same degree as me. But the truth is that history and politics is the most pointless of all subjects that anyone could ever study. It leads nowhere. Only to intelligent people saying "why did my intelligence lead nowhere?" It can lead somewhere, but nowhere beyond the music store.

This is part of the con. We all need education! Do we fuck! We don't need an education. But the government fed that shit for too many years.

Just make sure you don't vote Labour nor Tory...or you are commiting suicide. At least the Lib Dems suggest some hope.

Stephen Fry....I rest my case!

[HattonTheHammer]

With your expertise in these opposame matters, can you tell me who is most likely to "win" the next debate?

The yellow man is now 1/2 favourite (5/2 blue 5/1 red). Now that people know who the yellow man is, surely that puts him under the cosh for the next show?

Do you think a blue or red bet is value? Thanks.

Haha, Ryanman has the same degree as me. But the truth is that history and politics is the most pointless of all subjects that anyone could ever study. It leads nowhere. Only to intelligent people saying "why did my intelligence lead nowhere?" It can lead somewhere, but nowhere beyond the music store.

This is part of the con. We all need education! Do we fuck! We don't need an education. But the government fed that shit for too many years.

Just make sure you don't vote Labour nor Tory...or you are commiting suicide. At least the Lib Dems suggest some hope.

Stephen Fry....I rest my case!

You shouldnt be posting on this topic missy

we all know women arent allowed to vote because a womans opinion doesnt really matter

Now, get back to washing those dishes and let the men get back to discussing pressing issues

[Howlin Mad Missy]

Haha, Ryanman has the same degree as me. But the truth is that history and politics is the most pointless of all subjects that anyone could ever study. It leads nowhere. Only to intelligent people saying "why did my intelligence lead nowhere?" It can lead somewhere, but nowhere beyond the music store.

This is part of the con. We all need education! Do we fuck! We don't need an education. But the government fed that shit for too many years.

Just make sure you don't vote Labour nor Tory...or you are commiting suicide. At least the Lib Dems suggest some hope.

Stephen Fry....I rest my case!

You shouldnt be posting on this topic missy

we all know women arent allowed to vote because a womans opinion doesnt really matter

Now, get back to washing those dishes and let the men get back to discussing pressing issues

said in the manner of a man truly under the thumb and in fear of women...