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Yes, I think Nick Clegg “won” this debate by a country mile. He certainly came closest to striking political gold with regard to style and substance… In fairness Gordon Brown possessed a fair deal of the latter, alas David Cameron had neither.

Observing this from what I suppose would be a relatively objective point of view (as I obviously wont be voting come May), one thing struck me in particular: that being the extraordinary revelation that a Liberal Democrat was the ONLY candidate who seemed to be willing to produce any hard, factual economic COSTING with respect to the policies his party was trying to implement. As I said, a surprising turn of events when one considers the “pie in the sky” ethics or “handwringing” commonly associated with liberalism.
Mr. Clegg directly challenged the veracity of every single promise put forth by his “larger party” counterparts with the simple, candid statement – “There are no figures in either of your manifestos”.

Granted, Mr. Brown’s divisive National Insurance scheme is not everyone’s cup of tea, but nonetheless it can at least be construed as some form of concrete collateral for costing the changes needed to springboard momentum back into the sluggish British economy.
Mr. Cameron’s notion of “cutting waste” to bring about a six billion pound dividend for economic recovery on the other hand is complete folly. Although no one denies a total clean up of politics is essential, the sheer immediacy of the economic challenge requires instant treatment and application. Cutting waste and bureaucracy is a correct and noble enterprise, but it takes time, and as Mr. Brown correctly pointed out, tough fiscal decisions need to be taken right now to effect real change next year. Mr. Cameron’s notable silence when it came to Mr. Brown directly questioning Conservative educational funding was ominous.
He just isn’t ready yet.

I’ve no doubt all three leaders are essentially good men, and truly believe they could shape a better UK.
Will Mr. Clegg’s good show finally energize the Liberal Democrat’s towards challenging the top two? Will the media boost translate to votes?
Yes, but not with any major change to the political landscape unless Britain faces the real prospect of a hung parliament and a potential coalition arrangement.
Personally, I think this would be a wonderful opportunity. After the almost imperial reigns of the two main parties in recent decades (lorded over by Mrs. Thatcher and Mr. Blair), a coming together of seemingly disparate political philosophies in a dynamic, challenging coalition government where not only your own party, but your partner party must bear up to scrutiny would be a new and vital component for democratic representation in the UK.
But could it happen? Will the myopic loyalty of party political voting be finally punctured? Will the frightening inertia of an “always will” vote for whoever based on a misguided “always did” be done away with or perhaps challenged at least?

It’s a tough ask to shift the status quo… The shambles my own country is in is a bitter testament to that. We still have two years before we can have our say. For Britain it’s a matter of weeks.

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Came 3rd with STATE OF PLAY.. so my each way bet should produce a few quid :P

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I’ve a tenner on STATE OF PLAY at 16/1 and a tenner on CLOUDY LANE at 40/1.

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@pete wrote:

Ok have the meet in Dublin.. there ner ner :lol:

Excellent idea Peadar :)

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Well, Irish interest in the British election is as keen as ever, and THE IRISH INDEPENDENT ran with this editorial this morning..

AFTER just one day, the British election campaign is already looking lively, with economic issues taking centre stage. The opposition leader, David Cameron, was able to taunt Prime Minister Gordon Brown in the House of Commons yesterday when 60 leaders of industry declared their opposition to Labour plans for a new payroll tax to fund public services.

Then the OECD predicted that Britain would pull out of recession ahead of many of its rivals, and Labour rejoiced in this “vindication” of its policies.
Touche; so it’s all square with four weeks still to go.

Gordon Brown must have wondered many times if he would ever lead his party into this election.
David Cameron has waited even longer as leader for a campaign which is expected to be the closest for many years, with a hung parliament a distinct possibility.
Polls place the Conservatives ahead of Labour, but by an insufficient margin to guarantee an outright majority.
The Tory leader likes to tell the electorate: “You don’t have to put up with another five years of Gordon Brown.”
If David Cameron is to deliver that, the task he faces is formidable.
He will have to persuade more people to switch to the Conservatives than any other Tory leader has done since 1945 if he hopes to move into Number 10.

To win the election with an outright majority, David Cameron must gain a national swing of 6.9pc from Labour to the Conservatives.
Even Margaret Thatcher only managed a 5.3pc swing in 1979.

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You mean still in a state of transubstantiation :P

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Jaysus.. is this thread STILL going? :shock:

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THE finest hours for both director Joel Schumacher and star Michael Douglas.
A wonderful film filled with thought, tragedy and deliciously dark social humour.. as encapsulated in this supreme scene.

FALLING DOWN

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A BETTER MAN

Open your eyes
Say what you say and I’ll listen
For a while
Where is your smile?
The one that reminds me to whisper
Like a child

How can we stay strong?
Now hope is gone

Give me a reason
I can believe in
Help me to be the
Best I can
Give me a feeling
The love that I’m needing to make me
A better man

Will it be there
The taste that reminds me I missed you
All this time?
You know I still care
I’m walking around in a circle
Like I’m blind

Oh it’s been so long
But I’m holding on

Give me a reason
I can believe in
Help me to be the
Best I can
Give me a feeling
The love that I’m needing to make me
A better man
Oh..

Give me a feeling
The love that I’m needing to make me
A better man

Give me a reason
I can believe in
Help me to be the
Best I can
Give me a feeling
The love that I’m needing to make me
A better man
Oh..

Give me a feeling
The love that I’m needing to make me
A better man
Oh..

BRIAN KENNEDY

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So, another Six Nations comes to a close.. and though certainly lacking the overall match quality and high drama of the final kicks last year, it was nonetheless a decent tournament.

France, as expected (and thanks be to God) triumphed as the table toppers, having initially swept defending champs Ireland aside, going on to play some awesome stuff up to last weekend. Well done to them. They thoroughly deserve it. Yet the underwhelming nature of their Grand Slam win in Paris on saturday was a tad deflating. The tragic irony in England actually deciding to play for once, yet losing to an insular, at times sluggish, though always determined French side should not be lost. Martin Johnson, for all his pugnacious obstinance, seemed to have stumbled across a good side for this test almost by accident – nonetheless a side that scored a glorious try and at times looked something like the England of old. Complete chance with a dull reversal to type to come? Or finally a sign that he will pick his country’s best players and actually let them play? Watch this space.

A magnificent effort from Scotland produced a fully deserved win against Ireland in the last match to be played at Croke Park. The boot of Dan Parks, a well produced counter-attacking try and a totally out of sorts Ireland team that (worryingly) couldn’t even throw a lineout ball straight, let alone produce anything disciplined from set play gave the Scots a great victory. Scotland played a full 80mins for the first time in a while in this one, and showed exactly what they are capable of.
Ireland weren’t right at all. Perhaps a mixture of complacency, the occasion and basic utter sloppiness denied the Irish a fifth triple crown in seven years. An irritating performance (or lack of) that will certainly lead to a great deal of study and soul searching. This type of thing cannot be tolerated again.

Poor old Italy get the wooden spoon again, despite gallant efforts in the victory against Scotland and running England very close. Yet again it shows the gap is steadily shortening.
Wales were this year’s enigma.. hot and cold against England, never say die against Scotland, hopeless then hardy in the comeback against France, totally brushed aside by Ireland. A peculiar tournament for what seems an unsettled Welsh side.

With next year being World Cup year, the 2011 Six Nations will be more important than ever. It will be very interesting indeed to see some playing and personell changes develop in the coming months.
Anyway, that’s it I guess.

On a personal note, the significance of the Croke Park years will be a lasting memory for me and all Irish rugby fans. As will the 100 caps milestone reached by my own personal hero, Irish captain Brian O’Driscoll. A magnificent ambassador for the country. A truly exceptional player who has single handedly reinvented the number 13 outside centre position.. my own position.. (though he is slightly better than me!).

Once again, well done to the champions France!

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