Last night's leaders' debate was pretty drab, I certainly didn't think the immigration 'British Jobs for Bigot Workers' section needed a third airing but that's Brits for you I suppose.
One thing that I did notice during the proceedings was Clegg's liberal use of the line 'In my constituency of Sheffield', as if this was a badge of honour that would endear him to the local Birmingham audience and indeed the watching public at large. Forgive me, but I couldn't help but think that it is the perceived griminess of the constituency that Clegg was using to his advantage. 'Sheffield!? That's almost as bad as here. I like this young chap, what's his name again?", some might say.
David Cameron certainly didn't make any mention of his constituency of Witney, presumably because it sounds too posh, and Gordon Brown didn't mention his constituency of Kirkcaldy, presumably because it sounds too, well, Scottish to be honest.
Perhaps Brown saw all of this coming and was looking to outgrunge Clegg last night. A Monday Labour HQ pow-wow could have included Brown asking: 'Where's scummier than Sheffield Ed?' to which Balls may have replied 'Well, there's Blackpool but that's Peter's territory. How about Rochdale? Was there in 2005. God awful it was too, solid Labour'.
That plan however was somewhat ramroaded by Ms Duffy. Brown was never going to get away with 'I met a lovely lady in Rochdale yesterday and she told me...' in the debate yesterday, even if it had been part of the original script.
Brown of course tried playing the Arctic Monkeys card a while back to give him some Northern street cred but the idea of him waking up to 'Mardybum' was quite rightly laughed off.
Anyway, I have no point to make here, just noting a possible hint of inverted snobbery and wryly suggesting that if any young turks reading this have aspirations to be a PM possibility on a future leader debate one day, it might be worth making sure you're the MP for Skidsville first.
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Overheard in a posh Knightsbridge 'establishment':
"Can we interest you in our 2010 election menu, Sir?"
"Yes Sir, it’s a shit sandwich with a red, blue or gold napkin."
"No Sir, I’m afraid we’re all out of green napkins."
"My good Sir, ask for a tartan napkin again and you’ll be taken outside and 'controlled' by riot policemen."
Clegg has "My Constituency of Sheffield" programed into him.
Last night the 4th time he mention Sheffield he stumbled a wee bit because even he must had thought, Oh no not again!
I thought in general Cameron was strong, not on substance but keeping his cool and being statesman like when the grumpy PM kept attacking him. Clegg was okay but his performance was sort of panto when he kept playing Cameron off Brown.
Brown was just terrible on all accounts and whatever the outcome of the GE, I think we have seen the last of him.
His smile at the end was terrifying and looked like the Joker played by Jack Nicholson in batman.
http://adivertido.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/jack-nicholson_joker.jpg
Jeff
After watching the Lowlights" (there were no highlights) of the three party leaders I have only one question.
When will the by-election be held in the Kirkcaldy constituency?
Will Brown quit the opposition benches quickly, or will he wait until he is dumped on the backbenches?
I have to say, I am rather bewildered. Not at all a unionist, I watched proceedings last night and by the end of it thought Brown had won. My view has been confirmed through speaking to people today who thought the same and yet not one media outlet has even questioned the instant polling. Its like I'm living in a parallel universe at the minute.
This suggests to me that the results next thursday will substantially different than the current polling suggests.
My hunch is that the Tories and Lib Dems are not going to do as well as is doctrine at the moment whilst I reckon Labour and SNP will surpass expectations.
I'd go along with that Anon. While it was a more lacklustre affair than the last two, Brown came across as the most competent for me too. I don't see how Cameron was the decisive winner as some have called it.
By-election in Kirkcaldy before 2010 is a great shout though Dubbieside.
Jeff, Cleggy definitely missed a trick by failing to wear a cloth cap with his suit, and a nice Fair- Isle tank top over his white shirt. He should have reprised the old Python routine,
"Well, of course, we had it tough. We used to 'ave to get up out of shoebox at twelve o'clock at night and lick road clean wit' tongue. We had two bits of cold gravel, worked twenty-four hours a day at mill for sixpence every four years, and when we got home our Dad would slice us in two wit' bread knife."
As they say at Lib Dem HQ "any road up".
a badge of honour that would endear him to the local Manchester audience
Sorry to be a pedant, but last night's debate was in Birmingham, not Manchester.
I have to agree with anon. Thought Brown won, was shocked to see Cameron win by a relatively comfortable margin in the polls.. For me he was the weakest, avoiding questions and Clegg had him over a barrel with the 80% EU immigration. Think the election could still be tighter than a crabs arse in a sandstorm with the distinct possibility that Labour will come third in the popular vote but still have the most seats. Which ironically could spell the end for both Brown & Cameron, leaving Clegg to form a coalition with the new Labour leader.
I have to agree with anon. Thought Brown won, was shocked to see Cameron win by a relatively comfortable margin in the polls.. For me he was the weakest, avoiding questions and Clegg had him over a barrel with the 80% EU immigration. Think the election could still be tighter than a crabs arse in a sandstorm with the distinct possibility that Labour will come third in the popular vote but still have the most seats. Which ironically could spell the end for both Brown & Cameron, leaving Clegg to form a coalition with the new Labour leader.
Allan Rennie
I thought Gordon Brown sounded wobbly and far too negative and I think that is why people went off him.
He was trying too hard and even the TV pundits said he was dreadful. Last nights performance by Brown was his last chance to win back the initiative and he hashed it up.
But the only verdict that will count is the one on Thursday next week and I can't see him nor Labour holding onto power, even if its a hung parliament.
Thanks Alwyn.
I would like to say that it was a deliberate error to see if people would object to it before my calling Sheffield scummy.
But no, just a boob.
The missus watched it. She is getting a bit sick of the immigrant question every time what with her being one and not having a vote and all that. Her verdict. Brown strong on economy poor on everything else and just plain petty. Cameron totally dishonest and negative. Clegg by no means shining but had a bit of variety. She is not keen to pick an overall winner, sandpit politics the overall verdict. Me I was at a local hustings. Labour did not turn up so we were left with SNP Lib Dem and Green. Winner was SNP with Lib Dem and Tory tied a close second. Local Tories have given up on stopping Scotland sliding quietly out of the Union a whimper of token protest nothing more. Lib Dems were strong on agriculture as was the Tory but only the SNP championed growth. Real smell the fear local politics. Michael
I noted Clegg's comments saying "in my constituency of Sheffield"
Are Lib Dem canvass returns in Sheffield Hallam (the posh part of the steel city) so bad, he needs to keep on reminding his constituents he is their candidate?
Mind you, isn't he in "Last of the Summer Wine"
I had a phone call from my (Labour) MP during the debate. Think she was trying to distract me from Gordon Brown's performance?
And does anyone else think Nick Clegg is increasingly reminiscent of the young Tony Blair?
Brown couldn't find Kirkcaldy never mind say it
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