Wednesday 27 January 2010

Televised Political Debates



Will reminded me that I intended to inform you about the latest developments regarding the televised exposure of these three politicians pictured above.

To be honest, if the NoW is accurate, these are not going to be debates, they will be party political broadcasts.

It's alleged Gordon Brown and David Cameron are demanding a ban on questions from the floor for fear of being ambushed by rival party members. It would mean the audience being denied the chance to question the men who intend to govern this country.

The PM also wants the audience packed with almost twice as many Labour supporters as Tories, to reflect his Commons majority, but furious David Cameron is insisting there should be more of his followers as he is well ahead in the polls.

An insider said last night: "We've had two months of talks about the format for the debates. There have been disagreements about which leader shakes hands first, where they stand on stage and how much camera time they get. But the audience has been the biggest sticking point so far."

These men are actually standing for election to the most powerful job in the land.

Surely Alex Salmond is now pleased he's not part of this masquerade.

22 comments:

Nikostratos said...

As long as Alex ugly mush isnt on the screen........thats the main issue

Barking Spider said...

I believe that children could actually sort this out quicker and better, SR, God help us!

Anonymous said...

Best not have them. They actually don't need them now. All this fighting and squabbling is telling us all we need to know.

If they are broadcast in Scotland, I think we should all turn off our sets.

(The picture quality here is so bad most of the time that we won't be able to understand most of what they say anyways).

subrosa said...

Oh Niko, I can always rely on you for an unbiased response.

subrosa said...

It's ridiculous BS. And these people want to control us remember.

subrosa said...

Think the broadcasters are committed now Tris but I wonder how many will bother watching if it's going to be three party political broadcasts all in one programme.

I'll certainly not be watching it.

Strathturret said...

I would support a legal challenge. I have two SNP Councillors out of 4, an SNP MSP and MP, and in Angus we outvoted Tories 2 to 1 in Euro vote. Labour and Liberals are nowhere. Yet Alec Salmond is not worthy to appear in this charade.

subrosa said...

A legal challenge which we lost wouldn't do much for us Strathturret.

I have much the same as you but 4 councillors and can't remember the Euro vote although it was slightly less than yours I think. Where I am used to be strong tory territory and still lots about.

That's part of the reason we don't do so well here at GEs although Pete Wishart is in with a reasonable shout again.

Alex should just say he's rather pleased he's not attending because he prefers to talk with people not at them.

Anonymous said...

I don't think a legal challenge is worth it either. I doubt many people, except political anoraks will watch much of this. Especially as it will be so strictly controlled.

I've heard that they intend to broadcast at peak viewing times, so I suspect that it will cause more anger than enjoyment amongst people who will have to adjust their schedule to catch whatever else it was that they would have been watching (Emerdale, Eastenders, Midsommer Murders or whatever).

It’s probably best that we are not involved. Of course, we have to demand a share of party political broadcast time to make up for it.....

I’m in Dundee and we are an SNP city. One of the two MPs is Labour, I forget his name, but he’s pretty low profile. The other is SNP. Both MSPs are SNP. The MEP is SNP, and the local council is SNP.

And we are excluded AND Jim Murphy said that the SNP is irrelevant. Jeeeeeez....has he ever been to or even heard of Dundee?

subrosa said...

Tris, surely you know by now that the east coast is not on labour's radar. They gave up on it years ago, although Dundee was a very labour city until recently.

No, labour aren't interested in us over this way. They know the battle is lost here.

Furor Teutonicus said...

The PM also wants the audience packed with almost twice as many Labour supporters as Tories,

Where is he going to find them thenb, unless they are all BBC staff?

subrosa said...

You're very sharp this morning Furor. Well done!

Clarinda said...

The 'Big 3' may have missed the chance to mire by association in not inviting Mr Salmond to join them inside their fetid little political tent in p***ing out - when instead he remains outside in the fresh air, p***ing in?
A rather earthy vision I know, but one that conveys the rabid misjudgement of Brown, Cameron, Clegg and the BBC. I suspect, that with the public's contempt for such political TV set-ups, at least one of the 'Big 3' happy campers will need more than galoshes to ward off what's coming his way in May.

subrosa said...

An earthy vision indeed but fairly accurate, although I would suggest Salmond standing outside bemused while enjoying one of his favourite curries.

It would appear from the press that the broadcasters aren't happy bunnies. Tough I say, they should have been more long-sighted.

Of course we pay for the BBC's contribution. I doubt if Sky will put up with much more though, even if it was their suggestion in the first place.

Clarinda said...

No doubt his curry is accompanied by a couple of Kingfishers or Cobras that will require Mr Salmond's attention!

Furor Teutonicus said...

subrosa said...

You're very sharp this morning Furor. Well done!


Cynisism is a 24/7 job.

subrosa said...

No doubt at all Clarinda. I'm sure it's these which pile on the calories rather than the curries.

subrosa said...

In that case Furor I don't do too badly. In the opinion of those around me that is.

Crinkly & Ragged Arsed Philosophers said...

The absolute classic, would be for the three stations to announce at the last minute they have hired A Salmond to present and chair the programmes.

Short of that I think all nationalists should refuse to pay the equivalent of a months licence fee. We're already paying enough to be misinformed and manipulated by addicts of mendacity without having to allow them greater access to our private time.

subrosa said...

I don't think they would be brave enough Crinkly but super idea.

Your other idea is also good but I've been through the intimidation process from these people and it's not pleasant.

Furor Teutonicus said...

Crinkly & Ragged Arsed Philosophers said...

The absolute classic, would be for the three stations to announce at the last minute they have hired A Salmond to present and chair the programmes.


Would not work either. You need someone that is DIFFERENT to the other party.

subrosa said...

A non-unionist chairing a debate for three unionists isn't categorising the non-unionist as different?

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