Notice at the weekend where ever I go that the political debate on the box last week has at long last done what hasn’t been done in recent years – sparked some degree of interest in politics in the British public. 

 

Hadn’t really intended watching it myself, but like many others it seems, got sucked in and fascinated not so much by the burning issues but by the vast difference between the candidates.  Equally, at the time, had wondered if it was just me that had the strong reaction but apparently not.  Judging by both polls and everyone I speak to from the tv repair man onwards who informed me with some force that I wasn’t to do what any sensible person would after watching – ie., vote liberal – in that if Labour got in again, it would be The End for people like us.   What The End would entail or who People Like Us are, I never really ascertained, but he clearly felt strongly about it.

 

Am not personally a fan of Gordon Brown’s and do not believe that Labour getting in again would do businesses any good so was not really expecting any surprises in finding his continual attacks on Tory policy nothing less than dull.   Have not, however, watched Cameron live for a while – was it just me that found him unctuous and up his own self but above all found his continual reference to his son in a political debate absolutely offensive as a way to catch votes?  However it was, of course, Clegg who was the complete revelation, revealing an honest and straight forward personality as yet unspoilt by the horrors of politics.  Two questions seem obvious - one, is if during these debates, he can shift the perennial belief that Liberal is a wasted vote, and two, (more personally)  if he is shunted ever towards the limelight, how long will that honesty prevail?