Will this be the game-changer that Brown needs?

Dave B

I think this is a great opportunity for all parties, mostly the Conservatives.

Turnout at the last 3 general elections has been the lowest since WW2.

http://www.ukpolitical.info/Turnout45.htm

There is a huge pool of non-voters out there to be courted. Given the awful record of the current gov't, I'd suggest they're most likely to be attracted to the 'change' option: The Conservatives.

Noa Zrk

What a wonderful trio of opportunities to hear the old political cliches and chestnuts being trotted out again; Tory wealth, Labour front line service preservation, Lib Dem something or other.
What a pity that I will be too busy 'pricking on' something more capable of bearing fruit that Brown's demented end of days political rantings.

David Lindsay

There should not be televised debates between the Party Leaders in the run-up to the General Election. We shall be electing a Parliament, not a President.

Sky News is trying to become Fox. It shouldn't. And the Prime Minister, or anyone who aspires to that office, should not be egging it on. Never mind the BBC or ITN.

Tim Montgomerie

But Pete, your consolation point that Cameron is an early favourite to come out on top is part of the problem. You want to go into these debates with low expectations and beat them - not with most folk expecting you to win.

Stronghold Barricades

I'd be interested in the parameters of the debate that has been agreed to

People involved, questions that can be asked, questions that can't

What can be said in reply etc

Notice of questions?

Austin Barry

I'm not sure how a TV debate can be game-changing for Brown: he must be the least adept political TV performer since Richard Nixon. He radiates gloom and despondency like ectoplasm, while any attempt to smile has grisly results.

His persona though is ideally suited to downbeat, mournful humour and perhaps his five minute introductory speech should essay a few gags to win some audience sympathy:

"I had a difficult childhood. I remember the time I was kidnapped and they sent my father a piece of my finger. He said he wanted more proof."

"I could tell that my parents hated me. My bath toys were a toaster and a radio."

"I was so depressed I was going to jump out a tenth floor window... so they sent a Minister up to talk to me. He said... On your mark..."

Tron

Coffee Housers like me have seen Gordon Brown on TV for years.We have made up our minds. The general public do not watch political TV. They might see sound bites on the news. If they watch these debates for any length of time they will see what a dull, charmless, repetative , bully he is.

Billericay Dave

I wonder if there will be betting on how many
"It started in America" or
"Global" we get from Brown.
There are almost enough clichés to start a Brown debate bingo game !!

Thomas Cussans

Will this be the 'game-changer', you ask Pete.

No.

Brown is too thick, too clunky, too hopeless. Most of all, he is too nasty.

More to the point, if you want to be taken seriously as a journalist you should stop echoing obvious Labour lines. 'Game-changer' is a wholly meaningless expression of the sort most obviously favoured by puny thrusters desperate to attach themselves to Downing Street.

I suggest you try thinking for yourself. It can be surprisingly liberating.

Pete Hoskin

Thomas Cussans: sheesh, I only used "game changer" because it's fairly common and useful shorthand for an event which - theoretically - could cause the political tide to shift. Not because I'm parroting Labour figures. And certainly not because I want to work in politics.

It's a little strange that you'd attack my ability to think, because I actually agree with you! I don't actually think that it will be a "game changer" because I don't think Brown's up to it.

Anyway, Merry Christmas and all that...

Charles Hoare

I think it simply demonstrates Cameron's confidence.

Brown is almost all out of option, so he is being forced to gamble big: he could easily go down in flames.

As for Clegg and the LibDems, I think they are basically lightweights who benefit from not being challenged consistently over a period of time. Of course, in theory, they have a lot to gain from the increased exposure - if you believe that their policy platform is coherent and that Clegg is convincing.

There is a chance - perhaps a small chance, but a chance nonetheless - that Cameron could reshape politics for a generation by dealing a fairly fundamental blow to both his main opposition parties. All he has to do is not make a mistake and to show his underlying charm.

Also, for all the spinning before and after, I don't think this will matter. I suspect that many floating voters will actually be interested and tune into at least one of the debates.

TomTom

Staged questions and prepared answers for 3 Mps representing 3 Constituencies. If this is what the advertisers want to sell soap so be it.

The whole circus is getting beyond parody, but having a former TV presenter, a former MEP and a former Carlton PR man on TV together makes one long for new parties

TrevorsDen

Another hysterical post from Hoskins. How much brandy was in the Spectator christmas pud?

How is this going to change any game for Brown?

Will he miraculously explain how he managed to run up deficits virtually all through the last decade when he was claiming spectacular levels of economic growth??

the mas is (to use a global warming phrase) an asshole and will show himself as such.

In2minds

“Will this be the game-changer that Brown needs”? In a word, no. All we will get from Brown is a TV version of the tractor production statistics. He's hardly likely to have learnt to be a competent tap-dancer or pianist by then. So it won't be entertaining just dull and neither Cameron or Clegg will jazz it up either. Just dull.

Stewart

I agree with David Lindsay in that we should be electing a government led by a PM and not a President but if one looks at the constitutional costraints on a British PM and compares them with a US President there is no contest. A PM has much greater licence to do as he pleases (Particularly with a big majority) than a President. A President can only sign in or veto laws, he cannot ratify treaties, declare war or pass legislation.

Watt Tyler

This is good news for all three main parties. They can again reinforce what they want the public to percieve that there is no other choice to be made except than between any of them. In public, there is no choice to be made between them - you vote for any one of them, you get goverment from Brussels.

We've never had a TV debate before, and it is not a coincidence that at a time when the SNP is in power in Scotland, and people are turning to UKIP and the BNP, that the three main parties have suddenly decided that they want such a thing.

The potential winner of a debate? All three main parties - the losers, the Great British public.

Ron Davies

I hope the rhetoric on the debate will do the right thing and be pro-Mao and not the capitalist fare that Churchill or Thatcher would come up with. We need more audacious optimism - Marx's third way isn't finished yet, and Andrew Marrx would be a good value-neutral moderator. RIght and wrong, as well as success or failure must both be treated as the imposters they truly are, as we progress forward.

Watt Tyler

On the other hand, in these debates the leaders of these pearties are going to be falling over themselves to prove who best can implement Marxist ideolgy, and how is the best European, and who is the most holiest when it comes to AGW.

On the other hand, it could be a festival in disconnect-demonstration. On the other hand, it could be the straw that breaks the camels back.

wrinkled weasel

You cannot debate with someone who tells lies. It's impossible, they will simply fib you off the playing field. Brown has always lied his way out of PMQs and I don't see this being any different.

Unless. Unless Cameron is very well briefed indeed on the nature of the lies and can rebut them.

It is no good Brown throwing out "We have lifted a million people out of poverty" and being allowed to get away with it. The only possible answer is, no, Mr Brown, you have lifted 646 people out of poverty, and somehow, I don't think Dave is the one to say that.

Cameron needs to take lessons from Dan Hannan, don't you think?

John

Well, David Lindsay, perhaps we SHOULD have a presidency! And while we're at it, let's have real separation of powers - let the parliament makes the laws, not government. Everything has become too confusing, corrupt and too many lines have been blurred. So separation of powers!

And if we're going to have a presidency, let's abolish the monarchy! Yes, I'll admit that the Royal family is good for tourism, but I live by the principle that all men are created equal by God - thus in my world, there can be no Royal family, no people with a birthright to superiority.

Baroness Booth of Bury

I suspect the debates won't have quite the anticipated outcome.

It is widely known that the general effect of the US televised presidential debates is to cement the audience's existing opinions of the candidates. I expect the polls to reflect no significant change - unless the whole charade is so contrived and revolting that the unrepresented parties benefit.

Percy

Billericay Dave, I've got a few other well worn ones for you:

"Do nothing Tories"
"I'm reminded of my school motto 'I will do my utmost'"
"Hard working famalies"
"Because it is the right thing to do"
and you never know he might give "Obama Beach" another run out.

David M

Just one more sign that broon is off to some international position and it will be postman pat or millepede in the TV debates.....

Fergus Pickering

No, of course it isn't game-changing. It won't make the slightest difference> I shan't watch any of them. Why would I? However, it will keep you lot in a lather. Calm down, Madam. The Tories will win. THEN things will get a little difficult.

Paul M

Percy: you missed "Getting on with the job." Tsk tsk.

JONNY

When for millions the merest distant blicker of a sight of our PM on telly sets in motion a Pavlovian Dog downward pressure of thumb on the Remote -
how exactly can four and half hours of him be a game-changer?

Publius

What TrevorsDen said.

Still, after Mr Nelson said, or seemed to say, that it is the role of a good journalist not to provoke thought, but merely to provoke for the sake of provoking, I have lost faith in the whole damn lot of you. I don't read the Spectator merely to be baited be childish overfed journos.

Tiberius

I hear Salmond is throwing toys out of his pram because he hasn't been invited to the party.

While I loathe Brown infinitely, I find Salmond much more odious.

MartSharm

I'm aware of the folly of being overly optimistic, but to say Cameron has the least to look forward to here seems a little wide of the mark.

Brown will surely look like the bizarre gargoyle he is compared to the other two relatively normal blokes. Since he's dealing with the public here he'll have to come up with a more original line of answers compared to his usual tractor statistics wheeled out every Wednesday at PMQs. His agressive blame-the-Tories-for-everything schtick will be seen through by the public in a flash. Cameron comes across as much quicker on his feet at PMQs, and is 99% certain to come across as the chap one would most like to have a pint with. Surely Brown has the most to lose here - if he simply cannot come across as personable surely that's a disaster?

Of course Clegg probably gains the most, from reflected relevance.

Ian C

While there is a risk of banana skins for CAmeron it is Brown who will be exposed as a dullard that noone can believe, while he bores for Britain.

The real problem for Cameron is that Clegg can be seen as so anodyne that he will be the go to man for the undecided unless Cameron is on top form (unlikley). The debates will give Clegg much more exposure than he would get any other way. He's the likely winner from this unless he makes himself look a pillock, which is, after all, a distinct possibility!

James Sproule

The real problem is the inclusion of Clegg. One plausible scenario has to be the other two ganging up on Cameroon saying they are there to protect “vital public services”, rather than engaging in “savage cuts”.
Will Cameroon slap down Clegg when he indulges in the inevitable moral posturing? To do so would be to turn off those for whom reasonable and moderate tone are paramount, even in the face of a fiscal crisis.
Already the Labour (most probably Mandleson) tactics are becoming clear. There is a clear assumption they are going to loose the election. Their plan is to only suffer one term in opposition, their line being: the economy is not all that bad, the only reason the Tory’s are cutting so much is that they do not like the welfare state. After the Conservatives make the necessary cuts and the economy begins to revive, Labour can indulge in the rhetoric of it would all be so much better and more caring were we in charge.

Ian C

The winner from this can only be the Lib Dems.

Cameron will be expected to wipe the floor with Brown so it is a path full of banana skins for him. Brown will bore for Britain but will seek to dominate with dividing lines and a booming voice (his 'smile' will let hhim down big time).

All Clegg has to do is turn up and say as little as possible, split the difference between the two others and bank exposure he would never have got.

For Cameron it will be hard work - but someone needs to do it, and train him to the hilt 'twixt now and the end of March. Maximum amounts of Humour is essential. Shouldn't we all send him our suggestions?

TrevorsDen

Percy - you never know he even might remind us of why he cut funding for the Army's helicopter budget.

David Ossitt

Nobody seams to have mentioned the small matter of who will be the chairman at these proposed debates.

I think that the three parties might have a great difficulty agreeing on a suitable candidate.

If they can not agree; then the debate will not happen.

Ronnie

Dear God Pete, surely you've seen Brown on TV! If I were in his team I'd be begging for these events to be on radio.

Naomi Muse

Another excuse for hot air as if we haven't got enough of that.

Look at Copenhagen - all hot air and what a phenomenal carbon footprint to get them all there to achieve what? - not much.

A televised debate will not be fair according to the electoral rules unless ALL parties can take part, so the cult of the personality will get in the way of policies and of ways to sort out the mess the politicans have all got us into.

Let them eat cake!

olly

I think people here do the public a great disservice when they say all Clegg has to do is turn up to get more lib dem votes.

There is a reason the dems poll in the late teens - they are a nothing party with a pompous flip-flopper as their leader. Let's see how much Clegg bangs on about the EU.

As for Brown, this will show everyone all of the reasons why they should get rid of him and Labour, not vote for them. The most repellant man in modern politics won't suddenly turn into a charming sophisticate - you can't polish a turd.

If Cameron can't beat these two idiots hands down, he does not deserve to be PM.

terence patrick hewett

I think this will be a grand opportunity to surround the place and lynch the whole boiling.

Pete Hoskin

TrevorsDen: I refer you to my comment above in which I, erm, agree with you...

Robert Snare

There is TV Channel 504 BBC Parliament, where you can daily watch the unedifying spectacle of Messrs Brown, Clegg and Cameron casting accusations back and forth, while the National debt continues to soar to unimaginable levels.

The last debate on Europe prior to the recess, portrayed the titanic struggle of the three main parties debating who had reneged the most, or least, on granting a Referendum on Europe. It was a mind boggling session on the their total lack of leadership qualities, and of their total disdain for the "chattering masses", as the "political elite" term their constituents.

It emerged subsequently that over 1000 British citizens have been extradited, under the terms of the European Arrest Warrant. The use of this Warrant which denies a British citizen access to a British Court has never been discussed in the House for approval, but like so many EU has been made UK LAW WITHOUT ANY SCRUTINY.
Just read the Home Affairs Committee First Report Summary , especially the seven areas of concern in the report.

Equally unedifying was the debate on the economy where the petty wrangling as to who would cut spending the most reverberated around the usual nearly deserted House.

The TV Debate illustrates the total lack of reality of the media, by excluding UKIP in particular from the discussion. It may be worth recalling that UKIP beat Labour into second place in the European Elections in June 2009.

The outcome of this General Election will define the future of Britain for decades to come. If we are to have a full blooded debate on our democratic institutions then UKIP should be included.

Now, go and watch BBC Parliamentary channeland see the poantomime for yourselves. Do we have to suffer a Leadership debate as well?