Did Last Night’s Election Debate Affect How You’ll Vote In Hedge End? Or Did You Avoid Watching?
By Caroline_W | Friday, April 16, 2010, 11:33
With questions covering immigration, law and order, the expenses scandal, education, the budget deficit, pay and equipment for the armed services plus the NHS and health, did yesterday evening ’s 1 ½ hour with ITV1 and ‘The First Election Debate’ whizz by leaving you wanting more and eagerly anticipating the next two debates?
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Hedge End Voting and the First Election Debate
Or did you switch off, or never even bother to switch on to see Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg take part in the first-ever live televised debate?
Did the issues discussed change your views on who you’ll be voting for here in Hedge End, or help make up your mind if you were undecided before last night?
It’s been widely claimed that the Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg came out on top. Is this your view?
How do you think Gordon Brown and David Cameron performed?
And do you think this format is the way forward for political debate?
With no applause/cheering/booing/or heckling from the audience? Or did you miss that?
Do you think the three leaders answered the questions? They seemed to keep to the topics, but I wasn’t sure they necessarily provided answers to the specific issues raised. For example, the question on education was asking for views on the emphasis put on achieving grades in school, but seemed to end up as a general point-scoring discussion on education policies.
And were they the questions you would have asked on these subjects? If not – tell Hedgeendpeople what you would have asked!
Or did you watch the other side last night or go out?
Whatever your opinion on the debate – its format, the questions, the performances of Gordon Brown, David Cameron, and Nick Clegg – whether it’s helped decide your voting intentions here in Hedge End – or whether you think it was a waste of time – let Hedgeendpeople know!
The second debate will be held on Thursday 22 April broadcast by Sky News with questions on foreign affairs and the third debate is on Thursday 29 April on BBC1 and looking at the economy.
Comments
I'm interested in why people vote the way they do. A working life spent in offices means I am aware that some people read only the tabloids and are influenced by less than balanced reporting and the prejudices of hack journalists. I have known people gullible enough to be influenced by what they think of a politician's clothes and skill at presenting an acceptable image on television; something all too possible with the televised debates when they have received many hours of training in the best way to look and speak.
I have heard that people tell pollsters they intend to vote for one party. Then when they get in the booth their fear of higher taxation means they chave their mind!
This reminds me of an experience that does me little credit. I was once persuaded to vote Conservative. However, when I got into the booth I was reminded that the candidate had a double-barrelled name. Being a working-class girl, I was unable to bring myself to do it. I should add, in my defence, that this was over thirty years ago!
So people's motives are not always considered and honourable...
Avidreader24
By avidreader24 at 09:25 on 19/04/10
ReportTher are still two more debates to come, on Sky News this week and on BBC1 next week. One is focussing on foreign affairs (e.g Afghanistan), the other focusses on the economy.
The viewing might be a bit dull if you sit in the armachair and watch. What I tend to do is Tweet my reactions as I'm watching it. The media and the political parties are closely monitoring the Twitterverse, so its a good way of engaging directly with the debate, giving some feedback and making the whole experience more interesting.
By TGRWorzel at 06:53 on 19/04/10
ReportI think what the debate has done is awaken my interest in the issues.....and I didn't even watch the debate itself. It seems to at least got people talking about it all. The manifesto's are all quite clear and available online. There seems to be no excuse this time for not knowing what its all about.
And with all that....I still haven't a clue who to vote for......!!!!
By iddm7 at 00:05 on 19/04/10
ReportNot directly, but it might influence me cumulatively [i.e. along with everything else that happens between now and May 6th], when I'm looking for some inspiration in the polling booth.
By TGRWorzel at 17:58 on 16/04/10
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