I watched the Daily Politics debate with great interest yesterday as this Blog's featured politician did a superb job in that conflict under the rather acerbic Andrew Neil. The Green professor was a laughing stock as he kept making up wild numbers which Jonathan promptly shot down in flames. The Lib Dem did absolutely nothing to win back the voters which his party has alienated - particularly in the field of education. He was simply dull. (Was this really the best they had to offer?) Tristan Hunt for Labour made jokes which backfired and must have put off voters by his first half performance - he regained a little ground in the second half but Andrew Neil and the BBC Education Bod made him look incredibly uncomfortable and more than a little bit shifty. Comparisons with a snake oil salesman are maybe appropriate with him oozing false charm and bonhomie which will have fooled only a few.Nicki Morgan for the Tories aimed for a competent display - the 'safe pair of hands' approach and did a good job. Many will have declared her the winner of the debate because she probably had three times as much time to speak as did Mr Arnott which made his task particularly difficult.
Nonetheless, he made the unassailable point that ALL UKIP policies are independently costed and he brought freshness, novelty and dynamism to the lecterns. With equal time - he would have won by a country mile. It was refreshing to have sensible arguments presented so immaculately.
Here is his opening statement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUTCG419eJk&feature=youtu.be
