Last night, the race tightened and got even more interesting in the battle to become the UK’s next Prime Minister. The second of the hotly anticipated televised leadership debates in Bristol, fronted by Sky News and its highly-respected political journalist Adam Boulton showed no clear cut winner, and put everything firmly back in the balance.
Following his overwhelming success with many in the ITV debate the previous Thursday, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has been on a crest wave, even attracting a popular Facebook group, with similar implications to the Rage against the Machine campaign to Christmas No.1 last year. Was this the night when Clegg’s bubble was going to burst? Well, it seems like the Liberal Democrats are happy with his performance, though I must admit; I thought he was the weakest out of the three leaders. By being in the middle of the stage, the pressure was firmly fixated on him and he lacked conviction when coming across with his answers. The most damming response was when Boulton asked him a simple question about his appearance on yesterday’s Daily Telegraph, in regard to donor money being paid into his personal bank account. It was an awkward response; “Yes, it is absolute nonsense, but moving away from that.” It certainly looked like he had something to hide.
David Cameron, the Conservative leader was expected to get the most out of these debates, and last week, he struggled to make an impact. Last night, he was back to his usual self, and didn’t hold back, like he had seven days earlier. Cameron looked far more confident and fluent and wasn’t afraid in going on the attack. His annoyance with Clegg’s stance on MP expenses was impressive and he really was made irate by Labour’s Gordon Brown, urging him to withdraw some posters, slamming the Tories policies for the elderly, such as the removal of free bus passes, eye tests and prescriptions. Though Cameron admitted live that all of those policies will stay, he clearly was very angry with the leaflet campaign, using the word ‘lies’ against the Labour party. This was a very strong word to use and I did feel that was unnecessary. On the closing speeches, he attacked Labour again, saying that Brown’s closing speech to the debate “sounded desperate, in a bid to frighten people.”
The 90-minute debate, based initially on International Affairs, then on other questions for the audience, was bound to be a grilling for Gordon Brown. Nevertheless, he can be fairly satisfied with the performance he gave. He seemed far more punchy and convincing than in the inaugural debate, and not as mundane or pedestrian. The very commanding approach paid off in some areas, and he was not frightened to go on the attack, slamming Clegg’s ‘anti-American policies’ and the ‘nuclear weapons ignoring’ policy, a real danger with Iran and North Korea still a major threat in the nuclear society. He told Clegg to “get real, get real,” with that, showing he wasn’t frightened to dish it out, as well as take it. He highlighted the Tories manifesto to not have the free eye test/prescription, which was very brave, but maybe not give the result he was looking for on that area, following Cameron’s insult back. However, if Gordon wants to win the commanding votes, he needs to get out there and promote his face further. Some Labour insiders think the campaign is lacklustre at the moment, and needs a big lift, so he still has the most work to do, in efforts to convince the voters.
Adam Boulton did an outstanding job last night in chairing the debate, unlike Alistair Stewart who lost control of the debate and probably the occasion, the previous Thursday. He allowed the debate to flow and as a result, it was a far better watch. According to ITN’s poll results straight afterwards, Clegg won the debate, with 33%, far lesser than last week’s margin, yet still a victory. Both Cameron and Brown were tied on 30%. This seemed to be more of a common debate at Prime Minister’s Questions; the nerves weren’t as bad from anyone from the previous week.
With less than two weeks to go until we go to the polls, it couldn’t be any closer to call. Nick Clegg was less fresh last night and was missing the bold attitude that came across during the first debate. David Cameron can reflect on a much more polished performance, but is still looking for a major breakthrough if he wants a majority government. Gordon Brown did far better than expected last night, and can take a lot of satisfaction from this. I would give Cameron the edge in round two of the debates, but it is still too close to call and the BBC’s debate next week now has much more significance. The General Election 2010 is firmly back in the balance.
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