Prime Ministerial Debate or farce?

Tonight, we’ll get our first US-style live political TV debate, between the three main party leaders, Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg. Unfortunately, we’re more likely to see a posturing contest than a genuine discussion. The participants will have been briefed on all the questions in advance and the audience aren’t even allowed to applaud, cheer, or boo.

Sadly, UK politics exists in an environment where telling the truth is perceived to be hazardous, changing a plan – even when it’s the right thing to do – is condemned and no-one dares stray too far from the overcrowded and confused centre ground.

Probably, we all bear some degree of responsibility; the media for its ‘witch-hunt’ mentality, politicians for questionable integrity and lack of conviction and we, the electorate, for wanting a better world, but refusing to vote for any party which is prepared to tell us what it really costs. Events such as tonight’s Prime Ministerial Debate, or even the impending general election, are unlikely to resolve this situation.