The British Election Debates-Are we going to opt for style over substance?

With a UK General Election looming in early May 2010 the British Public are having election news hurled at them constantly. It would seem that there is no other news in the world. Turn on British Television news and you will be bombarded with election updates and coverage. In between programs, Party Political Election Broadcasts are aired in an attempt to catch those voters who may still be undecided.

Politicians in the UK have a mountain to climb in this election campaign. With the global financial crisis, and Members of Parliament’s expenses scandal, still fresh in any people’s minds there are many voters who will just stay away from the polls. Building trust again is paramount.

All of this though could have a detrimental effect on our next Government.

The British National Party will hope to utilise these negatives and gain seats, and many people are predicting that the Liberals may hold the balance of power in a hung parliament. A hung parliament would mean that there was no outright leader and various political parties could have to work together and form an allegiance. This has some advantages but, overall, could mean that little was achieved.

The British Electorate then has plenty to chew over in the next few weeks.

Added to this immense coverage we will now have Political debate US style broadcast on mainstream Television.

There has already been such a debate between the Chancellors of each of the three main parties. Tonight, 15^th April 2010, there will be the first debate between the three main leaders. As the American debates have shown, there will be many crucial aspects such as:-

• Who stands where?
• What image should they portray?
• What will persuade the voter?

• Who will have that extra something, namely voter appeal?

Really though the issues should be more important than such trivialities.

Personally, I already know which party I will vote for but, for some, this debate could be significant. However, I am undecided if this should be the case.

Most of the audience, me included, will not be trained in reading body language and will find it hard to uncover what is true and what is propaganda.

As possible heir apparent David Cameron, who will be standing centre stage, perhaps has the best position. He also has many positives for such a debate. He is youthful, fresh and fairly new. For many floating voters he could be just who they think they want.

These debates though could mean that we simply get style over substance in our political leader.

If I had not already made my mind up, I think that I would boycott these debates. As those in America have shown, those politicians with TV flair, presence and style sometimes make good leaders but more often than not, they do not.

Either way, if you are even vaguely interested in politics, the debates could make for fascinating viewing. Then again they may be just one big bore. For the opposition leader it will be a great platform to show himself off. He after all has nothing to lose but the promise of what could be.

It has been reported today that David Cameron, Tory leader, has been told to try not to come across as smug, as he so often does. I guess in the end then it will come down to who is the best actor and TV personality rather than who would be the best leader for Great Britain right now.