UTV Leader's Debate

Well, that is one whole hour I will not get back again.

I, stupidly, decided to watch the UTV Leader's debate with the leaders of the four biggest parties standing in the General Election.

My own feelings can be described with a few words. Just be warned, its not a serious insight to a blow by blow debate, just my idle musings.

Jim Dougal Chairman

Was he? Seriously, why not Mike Nesbitt? Oh, that's right he is standing. What about Fearghal McKinney? Oh he is standing too. What about May McFettridge? She would at least have livened up the debate.  One very good observer said he was the best simpsons lookalike of night was Jim Dougal aka Hans Moleman! (though without the thick specs).

Margaret Ritchie SDLP Leader

What would she have done if someone pinched her notes, or as one wag pointed out to me, she was reading texts sent to her from Conall McDevitt. Was not too bad, but her inexperience at this level (can i say that??) showed through. Room yet for her to grow into her role.But seriously, the shade of red of her outfit hurt my eyes.

Gerry Adams Sinn Fein Leader

Usual smugness from someone 'never in the IRA' or apparently never even asked! He had great craic having a go at Margaret because he can't get a clear run at Fermanagh and South Tyrone. Alex Maskey standing down in South Belfast was on the same level as DUP not standing in North Down - a pointless exercise. Confidence wise, he was the coolest - but then he maybe thought he was in Castlereagh.

Peter Robinson DUP Leader

He looked very tired and a bit miffed off because he knew the inevitable 'financial questions' were going to raise their heads.  Very tetchy and apparently he has a halo he likes to polish every so often. Maybe he got one free with every £350 pen purchased.  While Peter looked quite irritable throughout, he defended himself fairly well. 

Sir Reg Empey UUP Leader

Who advised him to wear that beige/brown suit! He had a fair wind (Yes, of course i would say that) and did not make any mistakes, but perhaps did not set the night on fire. He did painfully poke Peter in the ribs about land deals and expensive pens, but did not really land that killer blow.

The post debate analysis is a load of back slapping at how great the whole thing was. The mini leaders debate was actually the most animated and would have liked to have seen more.

One little question for the UTV.  Where on earth did you get these 'young first time voters' from? Their questions were more geriatric than the panel. The questions asked were sub-standard and either shows how little they actually care about our future, or they were fed the questions by UTV, or the level of education in politics subjects has taken a serious nose dive.

Overall, I am just glad my licence fee does not go to UTV.

What do you think?


UPDATE
Have a look at Keith in Belfast's blog and his quick interviews with the leaders after the debate. 


An frae al yins tha laike tha haimley tongue Doocter Billy McWilliams his a wile gud Ulster Scots run doon oo last nicht's bletherin' session betwixt Norlin Airlan layders ain the langviewer ait hes wabseet 1690 an all thon

UTV now to provide all NI parties with celebrities

Fearghal McKinney
standing for SDLP

Now its getting very interesting in politics. 

First we had Mike Nesbitt standing for the UUP/Conservatives in Strangford constituency, and now we have Fearghal McKinney looking to stand for the SDLP in Fermanagh and South Tyrone.

UTV has gagged Lynda Bryans (Mike's Wife who still works in UTV) because regulations on coverage of elections meant Lynda could not present the programme until after the election.  OK, understand the need to be politically neutral and be seen to be politically neutral.  But is it a difficulty for UTV that its ex-presenters are becoming more political?

In a bid to remain completely neutral, UTV could extend its neutrality by providing the other parties with a list of Ex-UTV presenters, so that all political parties can have an equal shot of having a UTV personality on their election tickets.  And will the BBC also step in help by providing a list to every party of their own ex-BBC personalities?

I had suggested May McFettridge could be the SDLP celeb, but she may now be picked up by some other party.  Any takers?

Suggestions on who could be on the UTV and BBC lists for parties to pick from in the comment box please.