The focal point of the day was without any doubt the Prime Ministerial Debate. Not surprisingly all three candidates (yes that's the number that the Tv programmers deemed appropriate) performed better than last week.
The theme of the first half were international affairs. Questions were asked on the European Union, the War, Trident and surprisingly the Pope's visit to Britain. One question asked was: What had the candidates personally done to reduce climate change. Cameron talked about insulation, Brown about his solar panel and Clegg reluctantly admitted using his car too much because of the amount of stuff he has to carry with young children. Cameron attacked Brown on the 3rd runway at Heathrow, but would probably extend another airport. Brown endorsed nuclear power, and frankly on climate change it was like the crew on the Titanic rearranging the deckchairs as the ship goes down.
The second half of the debate saw a fair amount of point scoring,Cameron was put on the back front over prescription charges for pensioners and surprisingly, or maybe not ,the presenter, Adam Bolton tried to tackle Clegg on donations to his account. This was clearly against the agreed rules of the debate, and although Clegg dismissed the question and the Telegraph article as "rubbish", I'm left wondering the reason behind Bolton's intervention.
Last week Cameron was criticised for not looking at the camera, this time he was "shot" front on.
Immediately after the debate in the VIP after room Sky announced that based on one poll that Cameron had won the debate. All of a sudden memories of Fox calling Florida for Bush in 2000 came flooding back. Could it be thatThe Murdoch Empire were making it up as they went along, to suit their guy, Cameron.
After the Lord Mayor's Show, on ITV news, Caroline Lucas was given 20 seconds to answer for the Greens. Caroline asked where was the real alternative and significantly she asked why no discussion on world poverty.
Overall there was no silver bullet, no knock out punch, questions should be asked about Sky's presentation, but at least the last debate is on the BBC and it seems that as far as the leaders are concerned, the public judged it as very close, given a 3% margin of error. Match Drawn.
Key Quotes
"Anyone who believes that exponential growth can go on forever in a finite world is either a madman or an economist."
(Kenneth Boulding)
"Down these mean streets a man must go who is not himself mean, who is neither tarnished nor afraid. "
(Raymond Chandler)
"Live simply so that others can simply live." (unknown)
"I cannot live without books" (Thomas Jefferson)
"Sport is war without the shooting" (George Orwell)
"New York is a great city to live in if you can afford to get out of it" (William Rossa Cole)
The secret of a happy ending is knowing when to roll the credits (Patterson Hood)
(Kenneth Boulding)
"Down these mean streets a man must go who is not himself mean, who is neither tarnished nor afraid. "
(Raymond Chandler)
"Live simply so that others can simply live." (unknown)
"I cannot live without books" (Thomas Jefferson)
"Sport is war without the shooting" (George Orwell)
"New York is a great city to live in if you can afford to get out of it" (William Rossa Cole)
The secret of a happy ending is knowing when to roll the credits (Patterson Hood)
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