Yesterday I took part in a hustings event for Nash College in the morning. Thereafter I had lunch in the Rascasse before meeting up with Sir Phililp Goodhart, Beckenham’s MP from 1957 – 92. Then in the evening I did some canvassing in West Wickham until I attended a concert at Langley Park Boys School where my son was playing. It was a welcome break from politics!
I wasn’t back in time to watch the Question Time Special live on BBC television last night so I caught up with it later. To be honest I have never been a fan of the TV debate format and I thought the seven-way encounter between the Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat, SNP, UKIP, Plaid Cymru, and Green leaders was dreadfully trite and shallow. However I did see a lot more merit in the individual questioning in Question Time format.
To start with the questions were much sharper and to the point. It made for more of an edgy event and was all the better for that. At the same time Messrs Cameron, Miliband and Clegg were given time to answer questions properly which was much more appropriate than in the seven-way debate.
I think it’s fair to say that David Cameron was on top form, giving a barn-storming performance. Hopefully those people who doubt the Prime Minister’s pledge to hold a referendum on Europe will have taken comfort from his promise not to lead any government that didn’t hold a referendum on Europe. As someone who has consistently called for a referendum throughout the last parliament I was pleased by that. I want this matter of our relationship with Europe settled once and for all by a decision by the people.
All round most commentators believe that David Cameron came over the best of all three leaders. I agree with that. As Ed Miliband tripped as he left the stage I was immediately reminded of Neil Kinnock falling over into the surf at Brighton in 1992. Many people were very surprised when Labour lost the subsequent election. I hope the Miliband ‘trip’ is a good omen.