I think it's safe to say that Paxman's destroyed what remained of Charles Kennedy's fledgling attempt to be taken as the leader of a "serious" party this evening on BBC One ("The Paxman Interviews"). Very pertinent questions on the rather dodgy tax policy that Kennedy stumbled up on last week, and some moments of humour-
Quote of the campaign so far:
Paxman: [referring to Kennedy not adopting every policy passed at Lib Dem Conferences]- "...and the same goes for your policy of banning all animals except horses and dogs from circuses?"
I think it's safe to say that Paxman's destroyed what remained of Charles Kennedy's fledgling attempt to be taken as the leader of a "serious" party this evening on BBC One ("The Paxman Interviews"). Very pertinent questions on the rather dodgy tax policy that Kennedy stumbled up on last week, and some moments of humour-
Quote of the campaign so far:
Paxman: [referring to Kennedy not adopting every policy passed at Lib Dem Conferences]- "...and the same goes for your policy of banning all animals except horses and dogs from circuses?"
Kennedy: Yes
Had me in hysterics.
I quite enjoyed Paxman's "Right... let's move on to another of your contradictions then"; and having comprehensively crushed Kennedy within 15 minutes on a variety of topics, Paxman came up with: "Do you ever think you're slightly out of kilter with public opinion?" Cracking stuff.
I don't doubt that he'll give Prime Minister Blair and Mr Howard a run for their money as well. I wonder if he'll ask Mr Howard whether he threatened to overrule Derek Lewis again.
I think it's safe to say that Paxman's destroyed what remained of Charles Kennedy's fledgling attempt to be taken as the leader of a "serious" party this evening on BBC One ("The Paxman Interviews"). Very pertinent questions on the rather dodgy tax policy that Kennedy stumbled up on last week, and some moments of humour-
Quote of the campaign so far:
Paxman: [referring to Kennedy not adopting every policy passed at Lib Dem Conferences]- "...and the same goes for your policy of banning all animals except horses and dogs from circuses?"
Kennedy: Yes
Had me in hysterics.
I quite enjoyed Paxman's "Right... let's move on to another of your contradictions then"; and having comprehensively crushed Kennedy within 15 minutes on a variety of topics, Paxman came up with: "Do you ever think you're slightly out of kilter with public opinion?" Cracking stuff.
I don't doubt that he'll give Prime Minister Blair and Mr Howard a run for their money as well. I wonder if he'll ask Mr Howard whether he threatened to overrule Derek Lewis again.
He did that in a lovely cafe in Cornwall a few months ago when Michael Howard was down there having a look round and Jeremy Paxman was following him. Not for fun though...that would be weird...it was for Newsnight.
Although like most people, I love Paxman's interviews, but don't you think he was being a little unfair? I know this is his technique for everyone, and he know's what he's doing, but how can Kennedy, or any politician be expected to quote individual tax figures for hypothetical couples without preparing in advance! I also felt that Paxman, although trying to play the devil's advocate, was unfair on Kennedy and showed himself to be a little ignorant on the difference between party policy and a party manifesto. Paxman said it was party policy to allow 16 year olds to be able to go to sex shops, and for prisoners to be able vote in elections. When he asked Kennedy whether he would do either, Kennedy replied 'no'. To which Paxman scoffed, and said it was 'another contradiction for a party that says one thing, and does another' (or words to that effect). Which of course is false! No party on Earth can say it will put all its policies in a manifesto!
Thanks for clarifying that - I am clearly too thick to work that one out
I also would love for you to share what BBC Scotland have lined up studio wise - you clearly know???
Goodnicht
BBC SCOTLAND VOTE 2005 WITH ANNE MACKENZIE
THURSDAY 5 MAY - SKY CHANNEL 941
But the fact is, is that the studio will definately not be as good as the national programme and that's why I don't want the Scottish show! What's the point in this Scottish election show anyway?
I think this is the fundamental point. The BBC is being made to make massive cuts in it's staff numbers (a large number of which are in current affairs) and they're making this totally irrelevant programme. Lets save some money right here and maybe save some jobs.
They say they're trying to increase efficiency by avoiding doubling up reporters for different services. This looks like the biggest case of needless doubling up.
Will this election programme get results quickly and have as indepth analysis (banks of computers and experts etc). Will they have as many live feeds from counts and live interviews from counts as the national programme. You'd imagine the national show would always get interview priority in a talkback interview situation etc. What about nice graphics and stats. Lets face facts the operation in London is massively bigger and better funded than Glasgow so it isn't going to be as good.
Is this going to be the first time in history when in Scotland News 24 gets better ratings than BBC 1?
Are they doing this this time because no one watched the BBC Scotland one last time on BBC 2?
I think Anne Mackenzie's pretty good and I like regional TV too. I do however hate needless regional TV.
Although like most people, I love Paxman's interviews, but don't you think he was being a little unfair? I know this is his technique for everyone, and he know's what he's doing, but how can Kennedy, or any politician be expected to quote individual tax figures for hypothetical couples without preparing in advance!
He was talking about the famous "average" family where both partners work...this is the exact scenario that he stumbled up on when Marr quizzed him last week....hence Paxman's choice of question. Kennedy knew the answer, but he also knew where it was heading (your "average" family would be a hell of a lot worse off) and unsurprisingly Kennedy didn't want to go there.
Quote:
To which Paxman scoffed, and said it was 'another contradiction for a party that says one thing, and does another' (or words to that effect). Which of course is false! No party on Earth can say it will put all its policies in a manifesto!
But then most parties don't spend their conference time discussing such issues- can you imagine the proposer of the debate at their national conference (rare unadulterated TV coverage available)- "animals in the Circus- groundbreaking legislation opportunity"
Paxman's point was to argue (I believe quite correctly) that the Lib Dems still haven't grown up enough to be considered as anything other than a wasted vote on May 5th- surprising given their potential boost from their "appease Saddam" policy.
I think it's safe to say that Paxman's destroyed what remained of Charles Kennedy's fledgling attempt to be taken as the leader of a "serious" party this evening on BBC One ("The Paxman Interviews"). Very pertinent questions on the rather dodgy tax policy that Kennedy stumbled up on last week, and some moments of humour-
Quote of the campaign so far:
Paxman: [referring to Kennedy not adopting every policy passed at Lib Dem Conferences]- "...and the same goes for your policy of banning all animals except horses and dogs from circuses?"
Kennedy: Yes
Had me in hysterics.
I quite enjoyed "look, do you want loads of bloody wind farms or not?" (at least that's how it sounded he meant to ask it).
The sad thing is Paxman keeps this up by the end of the week we won't want to vote for anyone.
Nice that they kept the credits and set to a minimum.
Just out of interest is anyone else watching this thing with Johnathon Dimblebey on ITV1? It's quite interesting, a rather balanced mix of views within the audience and what have you. But if I was Michael Howard, I'd tell Dimblebey to shut up, he kept interrupting when talking about Immigratiion.
Just out of interest is anyone else watching this thing with Johnathon Dimblebey on ITV1? It's quite interesting, a rather balanced mix of views within the audience and what have you. But if I was Michael Howard, I'd tell Dimblebey to shut up, he kept interrupting when talking about Immigratiion.
Good programme, but why did they have to stand up, it looked odd. Also the two podiums, or whatever they're called, were different which didn't look too good. But all in all, a good programme to rival Jeremy Paxman's Interviews.
Really?
I thought Jonathon was poor! I'm glad Michael Howard interupted him when he did!
In terms of issues raised and the studio audience interaction it was good. It is Jonathans job to interrupt, and ask questions - he is a journalist, but he did get annoying at times. You could see Michael was getting annoyed.
