The dreadful Brian Paddick
Did you see Question Times last night? (It'shere, if you'd like to watch it.) Iain Dale is in despair over the quality of debate. I'd certainly agree that it's not even close to the level of US primary debates, but I thought last night's was one of the more useful and informative hustings. Not because it was an elevated discussion of policy - policy was barely present - but because it was hugely instructive about the candidates themselves.
For one thing, I realised that Brian Paddick is a truly awful man. He came across as the worst kind of ego-maniac - the sort who thinks he is humble and a cut above the rest of his peers when in reality he is boorish, snide, ignorant and self-important. At least Ken and Boris know they have high opinions of themselves and don't pretend to be otherwise. And Paddick was also keen to attack Boris not on policy, not even on the fact of his affairs, but purely on his relations with his own family, which to any neutral observer was pretty vile. Let he who is without sin, Mr Paddick, cast the first stone. I don't recall any other candidate referring to the fact that the openly gay Brian Paddick was once married. Or does being married to someone while you are gay not count as deception in Mr Paddick's mind?
Livingstone seemed a shadow of himself (this has already been observed by others in other meetings), almost as if he could no longer be bothered to engage. There was the odd bit of attack, but he seemed as if he was resigned to defeat.
And Boris was good. Ish. He got - as ever - flustered over details, but he seemed to me to be keen to talk about the issues and to attck Livingstone where he needed to be attacked.
I've made clear on this site that I'm voting against Ken rather than for Boris, but I think Boris' performance last night might have made putting an x by his name seem a fair bit more palatable.
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paul D
April 25th, 2008 4:21pmI don't see it Stephen (re Boris). Paddick has lost the chance of my vote - and his performance on Vanessa Feltz' programme this morning was not exactly endearing. I can't bring myself to vote for Ken again; and I'm sorry but Boris really does not have what it takes. His performance last night was not good - even 'ish'. Surely the main opposition candidate here should be walking this election. If I was a Tory I'd certainly be miffed at what may be a big missed opportunity.
Verity
April 25th, 2008 4:55pmIf I lived in London, I,like you, would have ticked the box for Boris without enthusiasm. I don't like him and would have been voting for Conservative principles, not the man, is all. I hope Conservatives who don't like Boris will still pitch up at the polling station, because the socialists, aka "passengers on the public gravy train" certainly will.
Alf Tupper
April 25th, 2008 5:08pmIs there an election looming or something?
J. Isaacs
April 25th, 2008 6:03pmSuperb analysis from Stephen Pollard. One had previously wished all of them could lose, but Stephen has helped to clarify the choices.
Austin Barry
April 25th, 2008 9:38pmBrian Paddick is perfect casting for Uriah Heep: an unctuous creep.
Jessica
April 25th, 2008 10:29pmI could'nt agree with you more. I was beginning to think it was only me who thinks Brian Paddick is a truly awful and very irritating individual. Why this man is even being given a platform is beyond me, everyone knows its a straight fight between Livingstone and Boris. I also hated the way Paddick kept interrupting the other two all of the time.
Water
April 26th, 2008 6:50amTo be fair to Paddick he was interrupted on more then one occasion. It’s a pity he stooped to ad hominems against Boris for that’s what sealed his fate.
Personally I’m totally impersonal to party politics as regards the mayoral issue. It should quite simply be a matter of who is up to the job and the only person is Livingstone (in and of himself).
What would swing it for Boris (as Ray said on the main thread) is if he quite advertently stated that he was going to pull an act similar to that of Regan.