Leaders’ debates and a glimpse of a ‘great moving left show’

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/apr/03/leaders-debates-glimpse-great-moving-left-show

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The late Stuart Hall used to talk about the “great moving right show” in the early days of Thatcherism after the 1979 Election, when the centre of gravity in British politics shifted relentlessly to the right, with consequences we have all been living with ever since. I thought of the phrase while watching the seven-way live party leaders’ TV debate (Labour buoyed, 3 April), and felt a strange sensation of optimism that perhaps we could see before us the first stirrings of a historic change of direction, with a new gravitational pull in politics. It was strangely exhilarating to see Ed Miliband with at least three parties politically to his left, the Scottish and Welsh Nationalists and the Greens, with even Nick Clegg somewhat shamelessly rediscovering the leftish Lib Dem principles he largely betrayed for his five years in office with the Tories.

It was so refreshing to see a majority of speakers trenchantly and unapologetically making the case against austerity, in the teeth of an orthodoxy that has prevailed for far too long, notably in the broadcast media. It was enjoyable to see the less-experienced women growing in confidence, never more so than when Plaid Cymru’s Leanne Wood swatted down Nigel Farage for his shameful anti-immigrant rhetoric, to general applause. Could there really be a progressive alliance that brings together people from different traditions in a new configuration? I desperately want Ed Miliband to win the election, but it would be wonderful to see Labour reach out to others in a “great moving left show”.Giles OakleyLondon

• In conception and format, it was trite – while being undeservedly pompous and self-esteeming. The issues were those that the politically unadventurous think are all that matter – and which we’ve heard over and over again for the past three years: immigration, the economy, the NHS. The politicians, coached by their dull and narrow PR folk, trotted out the parrot-learned responses, which we’ve heard 10,000 times. There was nothing about our violent and destructive interventions in foreign policy. Nothing about the increasing terrors – to the young especially – of the ever-more intrusive social media; the bullying and pornography effects on the very young. These are just two of the hugely important future issues which these seven intelligent men and women might have discussed – if the shapers of the programme were not so banal in their thought and execution. Who came out best? All seven did at least try to give this dire and pretentious concept some life. Who came off worst? The programme itself, and the public.Ian FlintoffOxford

• This election is becoming increasingly blurred as the facial expressions and gestures of the combatants become magnified under the unforgiving eye of the TV cameras and the spin doctors regurgitate the views of their representatives and add their own snide remarks. It no longer appears to be an election concerned with matters of vital interest to the whole of the country, but one distorted with side issues. Of course the minority views of the Greens, Ukip, the Welsh and the Scots are important, but they have to be seen in proportion to the UK as a whole.

This is where leadership comes in and you have to ask the questions: which of the candidates raises themselves above the morass of the current arguments?; who is the statesman with the cool head who can be relied upon to lead us through choppy waters, with the authority and respect to work with those of opposing parties? That individual is difficult to see at the moment.Ron AustinHadleigh, Suffolk

• David Cameron’s closing comments perfectly illustrate the paucity of vision of today’s pygmy politicians. This was a precious opportunity for our prime minister to show statesman-like qualities; to rise above the fray, and to draw all the leaders together for a moment, even to acknowledge that they had serious points to make, which he (and we) might well may pay attention to. But no, it was back to the tedious soundbites of “Labour caused all the trouble”. How disappointing, how sad.Geoff OxleyYork

• Quite simply the three women knocked the socks off the men. Strong, detailed, clear, principled. We need a coalition of them all, if possible, with Miliband, because the big party is necessary, but to keep him in check and to propel him along, whenever needed. That would give us all the best chance of a future from this coming election. The other men are pretty grim. Farage exposed himself horribly with the nasty HIV comment. Nick Clegg tried to play his old balancing act – but he’s tired; finished. Cameron has become jaded, with no new ideas for the future. Olivia ByardWitney, Oxfordshire

• Exposure to Nicola Sturgeon should mean viewers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland realise that the SNP is not Ukip-in-Scotland: a defensive party of kilted ethnic nationalists, as many in the media portray them. Oddly, the geographical and gender diversity of the panel made a case for the union. Perhaps No-cuts-Nicola and the SNP will have second thoughts and conclude that they can conquer the rest of the UK, rather than have to separate from it.Colin RichardsonLondon

• After last night’s debate, Nicola Sturgeon is the best leader the Labour party never had.Carol BowmanSelkirk

• The minority party leaders from Wales and Scotland will regret their selfish decision to attack Ed Miliband almost exclusively if the result is a win for David Cameron.John DinningCardiff

• The most important moment in the debate? Clegg saying of Cameron that he “doesn’t have to make cuts, it’s that he wants to make cuts”. True, but how now to make the voters hear and understand that – and then respond with votes and with continuing pressure on the left to end austerity?Bob JacobsonLondon

• If the debate was seen as an opportunity for the potential Tory or Labour coalition partners to tout themselves, my guess is that many who actually watched the programme will now be asking: “Why can’t we have a Ukip-SNP coalition in power instead?” Farage and Sturgeon looked like they could run a nation – the rest looked like they couldn’t run a bath.Mark BoyleJohnstone, Renfrewshire

• WS Gilbert predicted last night’s shouting match in The Gondoliers: “And party leaders you might meet / In twos and threes in every street / Maintaining with no little heat / Their various opinions!”Patrick WardHorley, Surrey