The Final Election Debate / Election Thread

[musicbox]

Tonight will see the third and final televised election debate between Brown, Cameron and Clegg. The theme is the economy but I believe, as with the Sky debate last week which threw up the curveball Pope question, there is room for other general questions at the end.

So, what are the kinds of things you're expecting to hear? What questions would you like to be asked and what 'other' topics do you think might throw a spanner in the works this time?

My tips are to watch out for...

The complete absence of anything remotely showing just where the main thrust of cuts will come. They will all outline where paperclips can be replaced with recyclable bendy bits of green coloured card that can stick pages together but they won't say anything beyond that

The above state of affairs being blamed on the government for not doing a spending report so people actually know what mess the country is in - yet negating to question that if no-one knows the actual figures how accurate their own assumptions could ever be

All leaders saying 'efficiency savings' at least five times each ,with one unfortunate leader inviting you tocheck his expenses as he's only been claiming for energy saving light bulbs since the expenses scandal to show his profound sorrow at the abuse that went on previously

All of them grovelling to the Pope when the Pope asks them "did you know I would be in attendance tonight boys?"

Clegg saying "Vince Cable" a lot, maybe even donning a bald wig and pretend accent to make his points

Clegg saying the party who put the most numbers in their manifesto is naturally the most credible

Clegg saying that in a hung parliament he would happily wear red, blue or yellow ties so long as he was most popular on mumsnet, most users of whom he has apparently spent at least one night with

Clegg saying his dream of the future is that his wife upgrades him to 'career politician' from his current ranking of '6th form politics student' when she talks about him to her lawyer friends

Clegg saying that an amnesty of a supposed 900k illegals would lead to no issues since they're here anyway working for gangmasters and VINCE CABLE is happy to get them into imaginary vacant job positions and take their tax. At the same time they'll be no recognition that not very high on the list for illegals is to do anything that makes them known to authority such as using overstretched government run services so just because ghosts are in the country already it doesn't mean when they 'unghost' that there will be no effect

Cameron name-dropping supportive business leaders - he gets £50k donations per Sainsburys, Mothercare, and M&S mention (all processed through the official bank account, Clegg duh!) and the business owners get Lordships

Cameron saying that the government thinks the only way to keep the economy afloat in 2010 is to continue wasteful spending

Cameron saying that a hung parliament will lead to rising interest rates, a weaker £, and basicallly turn us into Greece without the sunny climate

Cameron not saying "I was in Plymouth only yesterday talking to another black man..."

Cameron sweating when a gay guy in the audience asks if he has a right to stay in the B&B opposite Chris Grayling's house

Cameron absolutely dripping in sweat when the same gay guy quotes the "we're all in this together" slogan at him during his very PC reply

Brown not saying 'I was in Rochdale yesterday talking to a lovely old biggoted woman...'

Brown not mentioning Alistair Darling once but possibly calling David Dimbleby darling by accident

Peter Mandelson interrupting David Dimbleby to say "none of you know Gordon, Gordon is my friend and if that is not a credible enough witness statement then I'm afraid none of you deserve me as your leader or Gordon"

Brown overusing the word 'substance' to the point he accidentally blurts "I am a man of substance, many substances in fact, even the recently banned Meow Meow or whatever it is"

Brown tearing his closing statement up, saying "oh well, let's be honest, I'm f*cked!" and turning round opinion of him with that iconic election moment we're all longing to see (not neccesarily from him, just from someone!)

[bella]

Brown not saying 'I was in Rochdale yesterday talking to a lovely old biggoted woman...'

[Landprofits]

What am I expecting to hear?

Nothing of any value. Regarding Brown's comments about the "Bigotted" woman - I don't expect any kind of reasonable explanation. I doubt that he will satisfy my concerns on why he just brushes aside concerns about one of the most massive issues facing Britain today, and calls someone who raised those concerns a Bigot.

I don't expect the other two to come out with anything decent either.

On the upside it's Bank Holiday on Monday!

[LosEndos]

Brown tearing his closing statement up, saying "oh well, let's be honest, I'm f*cked!" and turning round opinion of him with that iconic election moment we're all longing to see (not neccesarily from him, just from someone!)

That one, I want that one.....!

[Landprofits]

Brown tearing his closing statement up, saying "oh well, let's be honest, I'm f*cked!" and turning round opinion of him with that iconic election moment we're all longing to see (not neccesarily from him, just from someone!)

That one, I want that one.....!

Ha ha Los - he may well do just that (after seeing him with his head in his hands yesterday)....

[Fella]

Brown announcing new legislation outlawing the world recession & replacing it with globalrecession


I too am intrigued by how many times Vince Cable is namechecked by Cleggy: am plumping for 3 times.


Have to say though, that after yesterday, if Broon somehow manages to remain PM after the election we not only have the worst Government this side of Zimbabwe, but we would also have the stupidest electorate.

[wobbler]

Jesus Christ that "bigot" debacle is being dragged on isn't it?

Trying to chill out to 5live "Up all night" at 1 am this morning and even they were covering it heavily. Christ it's all starting to piss me off now.

SkyBet even have a market for how many thimes the word is going to be said tonight.

How many times will 'Bigot' or 'Bigoted' be mentioned during the 3rd Live Leaders Debate | Live Debate Specials | Politics Betting | Sky Bet

[Fella]

Interesting. 0-2 times looks a good bet at 4/5, I'd be very surprised if either Brown or Cameron (or the presenter) use that word.

Edit: Debt at 11/1 would be my choice on this market:
http://www.skybet.com/skybet?action=GoEvEv&id=12262288

[musicbox]

I agree, decent odds there. I suppose if lots are drawn for the opening speech and Brown goes first then he may be more likely to mention recession than debt to start off but certainly you would think Cameron (and probably Clegg) would get straight in with what we're in rather than what we've (technically) just come out of.

And as for mentioning biggot then Brown certainly won't make a joke of it (unless he really has given up) and there's no real positive way of using the word biggot! The others will no doubt have been advised as to how that gutter level of points scoring is more likely to backfire than anything else.

[wobbler]

Had a cheeky fiver each on both of Fella's choices, I think the 0-2 is in the bag effectively giving me a free punt on "debt."