Technology3 mins ago
Party Leaders debates
11 Answers
If the polls are to be believed , a large number of voters have not made up their minds yet as to which party they favour , despite the speeches / party manifestos / hugging and kissing etc
Further , those same voters say that they will make their mind up after seeing how the party leaders ‘perform ‘
I note that Cameron has drafted in the team who coached Barack Obama to advise him in how to speak and present himself including the mannerisms to ditch and those to adopt .
I know / have known lots of people who are / were good at presentation ; but who frankly are/were useless at their jobs .
Equally I know others who aren’t so good at presentation , but they are brilliant at their jobs .
The upcoming debates is not going to follow the format of question time for example , where the party leaders can be quizzed about their policies .
We therefore are at risk of electing a leader based on style as opposed to substance .
Is this really a good way to select a party to govern ?
Further , those same voters say that they will make their mind up after seeing how the party leaders ‘perform ‘
I note that Cameron has drafted in the team who coached Barack Obama to advise him in how to speak and present himself including the mannerisms to ditch and those to adopt .
I know / have known lots of people who are / were good at presentation ; but who frankly are/were useless at their jobs .
Equally I know others who aren’t so good at presentation , but they are brilliant at their jobs .
The upcoming debates is not going to follow the format of question time for example , where the party leaders can be quizzed about their policies .
We therefore are at risk of electing a leader based on style as opposed to substance .
Is this really a good way to select a party to govern ?
Answers
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You are wrong on several points. Both cameron and Brown have got in Obama people to advise them.
Unlike the American debates, our three can be seen debating each other every week at PMQs and each is well know to the public. The American debates are usually the first time the candidates have met and debated with each other, so it is more revealing.
Unlike a Presidential election, we are voting for a party, not a Party leader. We may elect a dimwit, but the party machine will compensate for that.
Unlike the American debates, our three can be seen debating each other every week at PMQs and each is well know to the public. The American debates are usually the first time the candidates have met and debated with each other, so it is more revealing.
Unlike a Presidential election, we are voting for a party, not a Party leader. We may elect a dimwit, but the party machine will compensate for that.
It may make a little difference to some but those that can't be bothered to vote are not likely to show interest in such a clinical debate as this.
Why couldn't we have had an audience participated event along with all the emotions and awkward questions, that get the leaders swaying on their back foot?
Why couldn't we have had an audience participated event along with all the emotions and awkward questions, that get the leaders swaying on their back foot?
Right , so they both have drafted in Obama's men to make sure they present themselves well .
Dont patronize me either - i'm perfectly aware that we select a party and the leader of that party becomes PM .
The point i'm making is that despite PMQs and the public being familiar with the party leaders - if the polls are to be believed , people are saying that they are still undecided which party to vote for - and will make their minds up based on how the party leaders perform in the up coming debates
Dont patronize me either - i'm perfectly aware that we select a party and the leader of that party becomes PM .
The point i'm making is that despite PMQs and the public being familiar with the party leaders - if the polls are to be believed , people are saying that they are still undecided which party to vote for - and will make their minds up based on how the party leaders perform in the up coming debates
The situation of choosing a party to govern has not worked very well in the past. What follows is the continual flip flopping of the voter between the 2 party choice. By making the outcome by having a presidential debate only clouds the water.
The policy decisions are too rigid. How can anyone support everything a party decides to do. It is not sufficient to take the whole basket of policies where in every case the majority of the population disagrees with.
Peoples decisions don't generally change much whether its about the EU, immigration or whatever. Maybe thats why politics is a turnoff for many voters.
The obvious solution is to make all decisions based on the majority of peoples intent. That means more referendums!!!
The policy decisions are too rigid. How can anyone support everything a party decides to do. It is not sufficient to take the whole basket of policies where in every case the majority of the population disagrees with.
Peoples decisions don't generally change much whether its about the EU, immigration or whatever. Maybe thats why politics is a turnoff for many voters.
The obvious solution is to make all decisions based on the majority of peoples intent. That means more referendums!!!
AOG/Everhelpful
Ever since Margaret Thatcher was grilled by a member of the public (who did not play by the polite rules employed by sycophantic TV interviewers) on Nationwide in the eighties, politicians during elections deliberately avoid putting themselves in a similar position. Questions from the public are avoided unless vetted beforehand.
Ever since Margaret Thatcher was grilled by a member of the public (who did not play by the polite rules employed by sycophantic TV interviewers) on Nationwide in the eighties, politicians during elections deliberately avoid putting themselves in a similar position. Questions from the public are avoided unless vetted beforehand.
It is impossible for a person to answer any question that may be asked.
Should someone just be able to ask a question such as "What is the unemployment figure now compared to 1997"
A relatively simple question to answer if you know it is going to be asked beforehand, but it would be impossible to answer if you were not prepared.
Also, emotions should not be brought into the political arena - politics need to be based on sound judgement, not hysteria.
Should someone just be able to ask a question such as "What is the unemployment figure now compared to 1997"
A relatively simple question to answer if you know it is going to be asked beforehand, but it would be impossible to answer if you were not prepared.
Also, emotions should not be brought into the political arena - politics need to be based on sound judgement, not hysteria.
I don't know, I'm really excited about this but I do wish it was on at an earlier time plus Museum of Life is on from 8-9pm and the debate is somewhat long at one and half hours. I like Cameron but I don't think I can take seeing him for that long! Brown has a nice voice and Clegg?? uumm..... I think it will be a 'visual' show as most people know the whole thing is regulated and rehearsed so we will be looking for probably the most dynamic performer.
I do think the personal aspects will be considered alongside the arguments and policies and I wonder whether Brown and Clegg will gang up on Cameron? But this is history in the making and its exciting for Politics to be brought into the public domain in such a personal way?
I do think the personal aspects will be considered alongside the arguments and policies and I wonder whether Brown and Clegg will gang up on Cameron? But this is history in the making and its exciting for Politics to be brought into the public domain in such a personal way?
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