General Election Thread

So if one gets it's wrong they all get it wrong. Would prefer to have two or three polls coming in at 10pm on May 6th. Even though statistically one big poll may in theory be more accurate, I think with the result expected to be close having a couple of polls - whether they contradict or support each other - will give a better idea of how the night may pan out.

Alastair Stewart seems to have come in for a lot of unfair flack in his role as leading ITV's debate - probably pure ITV-ism, as he's undoubtedly a superb journalist and those of us here have long rated him. Just a shame though C4 aren't doing one as Jon Snow would wipe the floor with them!

I know this is going to be an unpopular post but I do think that they are going to have a fairly easy time tomorrow. I'd actually prefer it if newsreaders weren't doing the debates and instead, for example, Anne Robinson did BBC's, Piers Morgan did ITV's and Kay Burley did Sky's. (I know I contradict myself with the last one). Anyway the point of that would be to see them really grilled and ripped to shreds, something the public would probably want to see and in some ways I guess it could extract the real truth or expose their flaws.

For a generic debate, I think its only really going to be watched by those with an active interest in politics and I reckon the ratings will be quite weak, most likely with viewers switching over as it goes on, probably not so good when as many people as possible are wanted to watch these to make a well informed decision.

Surely the point of a debate is to see the candidates do that to each other?

A Paxman-esk grilling would surely be more centred towards an interview format.

Yes that's right, the chairman is just there to keep things under control and to stop them talking over each other.

Ripping into another party is going to be bad PR especially if its Brown ripping into Cameron and won't do them any favours. The 'debate' will probably just end up as a 3 way interview with the odd bit of discussion amongst the three why one is wrong and another is right, only for them to wriggle out anyway.

I imagine it will be much the same as Ask The Chancellors.

I am interested in seeing what the viewing figures may be like. High ratings may result in high turnout for May 6th

Or perhaps more apathy from those for who it reinforces the idea of them being all the same.

Sadly this is also true

So difficult to predict how they'll rate - could be anything from 4m to 10m really - the bookies even have 11-14m as the favourite, but can't see that myself.

I think a lot of people are sick of the election build up already and I certainly expect just more of the same from these debates - the pre-rehearsed soundbites, attacking each other rather than revealing their own plans and making sure that under any circumstances they absolutely avoid answering the question at all times.

I agree, it's far too high really - I'm expecting between 3 and 5 million, though without having seen them, it's hard to tell!

There is ongoing discussion about Latin plurals in modern English.

These days "referendums" and "supernovas" are both deemed perfectly correct in modern English usage, as well as the more Latin "referenda" and "supernovae". Neither is now deemed "right" and neither is deemed "wrong".