Now The Speeches Are Over…

After three election debates, what have we learned?

Firstly – David Cameron, touted as a master-orator and expected to do so well on live television, was very disappointing. He evaded questions, could back little up with figures, and looked more and more like the shiny figurehead of a party which still wants to reward the rich. Take a look at the cabinet he would be appointing before deciding he’s the change we want to see.

Secondly – Nick Clegg has shown that a third power in politics is a good thing. The inclusion of the third in any system takes you out of the first dimension, and this can only be a good thing. He hasn’t, however really thought his policies through in some key areas.

Thirdly – Gordon Brown knows that despite a pretty good track record in some key areas, he is up for a whipping. The media have decided this and there is little he can do to turn them.

Connectedly, this is all about the media. They have their bright spot-lights, and choose where to shine them. One can only wonder what this sort of intrusion would have done to a Prime Minister like Churchill – a heavy drinker, coarse with his words and economical with the truth when he thought it served his purposes. He would not have survived. And the country would have been worse off.

When we vote we need to turn from the light to see. Shut your eyes now, and your ears. Let the press go quiet while we reflect carefully without their intrusion…