The Anglophilic among Blawgconomics' readers are perhaps familiar with C-Span's live airings of Prime Minister's Questions every Wednesday. Anyone who enjoys the quick wit of the weekly masterclass (particularly when compared with what passes for debates in America's Capitol) in debate style of PMQs would do well to tune in over the next few weeks as the network (with the help of siblings 2, 3 and .org) will be airing Britain's political debates, both live and on tape delay.
The debates are notable on a few fronts. For one, there is a real chance that Labour could relinquish power for the first time in over a decade depending on how voters rate the performance of the (maybe too) polished Tory David Cameron against that of the incumbent PM and Labour member Gordon Brown. Additionally, the Liberal Democrats seem poised to increase their influence to a level which hasn't been seen in generations. Finally, the debate could produce London's very own Kennedy/Nixon moment; this will be the first televised debate in the nation's history. Though each of the three attendees, Brown, Cameron and Liberal Democrat Nick Clegg have been well coached (in some cases by battle-worn American consultants) this is still the first go around for each, and it will be interesting to see who, if anyone, is remembered by history as 'the one with the sweaty forehead.'
UPDATE: Clegg Wins? According to several polls, the Liberal Democrat leader did indeed make the most favorable impression. None of the candidates made any serious gaffes, but apparently samples of British voters didn't think that the two major party candidates did enough to address issues they felt were important. As noted above, the next two Thursdays will see the candidates meet again ahead of the May 6th election.
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