On the audience questions, I can't remember a single Cameron answer, he blabbed all the way from start to finish. I'm forced to give a 6/10 because I can't see how anyone could understand what was he saying but he looked good.
In total a 5/10 for Cameron in his segment. He did a worse than expected.
Given he is generally pretty bland, and has no record in government to defend (in the last 5 years anyway, it seems like he gives the impression of never having been in intentionally sometimes), I find it hard to imagine the questions to Ed M from the audience will be harder, though they couldn't get much softer either.
Oh god. Can he stop talking about the strong economy, all the bloody time. Is that it? Is that all we're going to get. Strong economy. Strong economy. Strong economy and yes did I forget to say the strong economy.
Oh god. Can he stop talking about the strong economy, all the bloody time. Is that it? Is that all we're going to get. Strong economy. Strong economy. Strong economy and yes did I forget to say the strong economy.
The same reason Labour keeps going on about the NHS, its a traditional strength.
Cameron's saving grace of his 20 minutes with Paxman is that the GE isn't for another 6 weeks and despite not doing very well, there wasn't anything new in terms of attacks. Labour / Guardian / BBC axis have been banging on about food banks and zero hour contracts for the past 5 years.
I really don't agree. Zero hours and food banks have not resonated with Midlands marginal voters. Can't see why it's going to change anything now...
Errhhh that is what I am saying. Those attacks aren't new and Cameron has been attacked repeatedly about them. It used to be every single PMQ's that a Labour MP would ask a question on food banks and if Cameron had stopped beating his wife.
Sorry should have been clearer. I don't think this evening will do any harm, and wouldn't have done any harm, to Tory prospects - whether it was 2 days before the election or 40 days. But entirely because of what we both agree on - people are pushing obvious buttons of activists. Not the buttons of marginal voters. Still pretty convinced Tories will win the vote and have the highest number of seats. No car crashes and we'll possibly sneak a majority.
Millibands first audience question "So stabbing your brother in the back, do you regret it?" Second question"Is it you or Harmen that is a fecking nob?" Third Question"Are you crap". etc etc etc
If you read Steve Richards' article the other day it's strange just how much focus Miliband has put on these things or what he expected to be debates. Seems very high risk and he has no excuse for not performing.
Oh god. Can he stop talking about the strong economy, all the bloody time. Is that it? Is that all we're going to get. Strong economy. Strong economy. Strong economy and yes did I forget to say the strong economy.
Millibands first audience question "So stabbing your brother in the back, do you regret it?" Second question"Is it you or Harmen that is a fecking nob?" Third Question"Are you crap". etc etc etc
Probably not, the questions are no doubt checked before they are asked.
Oh god. Can he stop talking about the strong economy, all the bloody time. Is that it? Is that all we're going to get. Strong economy. Strong economy. Strong economy and yes did I forget to say the strong economy.
Yes its only the single most important thing the government was elected to do and has done. Why won't he talk about One Direction instead of the government's duty?
The only thing that struck me as possibly significant is that Cameron admitted to not being able to live on a zero hours contract.
Rubbish. He said that they suit some people. And they do. Get in the real world - without zero hours there would be fewer jobs, lower economic growth, more reliance on a state that can not afford to spend as much as it does.
Yes. I think your little exchange there shows how pointless these interviews/debates are. Any answer is twisted by an opponent. If you are a supporter its inevitable that you would make allowances or take the point. If you are a DK then the nature of the format will not be enlightening. I am happily watching a programme which is informing me on BBC4
Sorry, I wasn't suggesting that zero hours contracts are the worst thing in the World or anything - I was just pointing out something that could be used against him in the coming hours/days.
No need to apologise. I take your point. And there is a counter argument - if the facts are allowed some room to breathe.
Oh god. Can he stop talking about the strong economy, all the bloody time. Is that it? Is that all we're going to get. Strong economy. Strong economy. Strong economy and yes did I forget to say the strong economy.
What else has he got to go on? And even that one is pretty shaky territory.
@Speedy PR experience, not answering the question, but offering platitudes and the answer to something else. How well it works depends on your viewpoint (Ed will have had the same pre programme training)
Burley last thing to Cameron"Do you eat three shredded wheat" First question to Miliband "Will they still be clapping you after your questions?". She cannot help herself.
Oh god. Can he stop talking about the strong economy, all the bloody time. Is that it? Is that all we're going to get. Strong economy. Strong economy. Strong economy and yes did I forget to say the strong economy.
And that is exactly the point and exactly the message!
Tories feel the same about Labour banging on about our bloomin' NHS
This question confuses me (in the write up for it anyway) - is it ok to demonise higher rate tax payers so long as they are not working class in origin?
Ed looking and sounding pretty normal to me - not a surprise, he's not as weird in manner as the sketch artists make out, but will it surprise the few casual viewers watching?
Anyone else hoping Ed would forget the third thing of his answer there, do a Perry?
Yes but this is the easy bit. No follow up. No figures being challenged. Eg. Ed Balls says balance the current budget. In other words still ok to borrow to invest. He says balance budget.
"Miliband says it is relevant. We need to encourage growth, so we get more tax revenues."
I wonder how much growth he think is really possible. OBR are predicting about 2.5% a year for next 5 years, historically it is very difficult to get even that,,,look back of the economic tail winds of first couple of terms of Labour government and they didn't get that. Look back over history, even before competition from China, India, etc, you just don't get 4-5%.
As a natural Tory, I hate to say this, but at least Ed is talking about ideas and visions (even if they are rubbish). This just feels better than Dave.
As a natural Tory, I hate to say this, but at least Ed is talking about ideas and visions (even if they are rubbish). This just feels better than Dave.
Never understood why Ed keeps on with the claim that if wages go up then so do tax revenues...surely if wages go up for lowest paid then they'll not be paying tax anyway, but profits of the employer will go down, and so too will their tax contributions.
Comments
It is cr*p, but then, the options were always going to be limited and sterile.
I'm forced to give a 6/10 because I can't see how anyone could understand what was he saying but he looked good.
In total a 5/10 for Cameron in his segment.
He did a worse than expected.
Second question"Is it you or Harmen that is a fecking nob?"
Third Question"Are you crap".
etc etc etc
@bogstandardtory: Cameron set a low target in his innings, but Ed couldn't chase it down #tweetsonPBat1030
http://www.panelbase.com/media/polls/W6836w1poll.pdf
Ed starting off laughing - he couldn't believe how easy these questions are either.
PR experience, not answering the question, but offering platitudes and the answer to something else.
How well it works depends on your viewpoint
(Ed will have had the same pre programme training)
Tories feel the same about Labour banging on about our bloomin' NHS
Anyone else hoping Ed would forget the third thing of his answer there, do a Perry?
That said, Ed doing ok generally.
Ed gets the brother question. Hhmmm.
I wonder how much growth he think is really possible. OBR are predicting about 2.5% a year for next 5 years, historically it is very difficult to get even that,,,look back of the economic tail winds of first couple of terms of Labour government and they didn't get that. Look back over history, even before competition from China, India, etc, you just don't get 4-5%.
And now a David M question? Really? That's one of the things I like about Ed M, that he was willing to take on his brother.
Agree with the mood that Ed's questions have been a bit better, in terms of being a tad more challenging or interesting.
That said, I'm worried people are not even going to be listening to what he says because they won't get past the still weird voice.