Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Klegg debated for the first time together on television. All three of them got the chance to say something before the debate began.
Nick Klegg persuades the people with a new alternative. He says: "We can do something new, we can do something different this time." He speaks of change.
Gordon Brown says that we do not find ourselves in an easy time but he believes that we are moving towards prosperity. He promises better economy and protection if the people choose right. He states the fact that he knows what he is doing, because he has done it before (refers to the financial crisis).
David Cameron speaks of togetherness - the country has to come together. He says that the country needs a change. If elected he plans on keeping some of the good things Labour has done, but change a bit.
After the opening the audience got to ask questions.
The first question was about immigration. I felt that the three candidates had many of the same opinions but that they had different approaches.
Brown starts off saying that he knows that people feel pressure because of immigration. And he wants control. He does not want no put immigration to an end but he say: "We are a tolerant and diverse country but want to control the immigration more." He also says that the numbers of immigration is falling because of what Labour are doing.
Cameron means that the numbers for immigration are way too high and that they have to come down. He says that they have to address immigration properly. Have stronger border control and a proper border police force.
Klegg say that there is a complete chaos in the administration and that they need more control. He states the fact that there exists both good and bad immigration. He explains that immigrants only should go to those regions where they can be supported. He talks of change.
The next question was about law and order
Cameron says that he thinks the sentences are not long enough. He uses an example about a burglar who broke in to a woman's apartment and set coach on fire. The fumes from the fire killed her son. Cameron say that it is outrageous that this burglar, that this murderer only got four and a half year in prison. He suggests a better drug rehab. He thinks it will help if drug addicts got off the streets and into treatment.
Klegg wants more police on our streets. He continuously repeats, "There are too many young defendants who become the hardened criminals of tomorrow." He says a lot about preventative work. He wants to stop the young defendants before they become hardened criminals.
Brown had three points. I am sorry I only remember two of them:
1. He wants 80% of the police on the streets
2. He feels the parents have to follow up more closely (that is for him to say, huh?)
Brown speaks of progress already made by the Labour party on this problem and he presents data to support it.
The third and final question was about the MPs expenses. The woman asking asks how she can trust a MP who spilled his guts to her at her pub.
Nick Klegg tells her that no politicians deserve her trust until everybody have come clean on what has been going on.
Brown says that he is shocked and sickened by the corruption by the MPs. He says that he was brought up to the belief that one act honestly and fairly and he is shocked by the MPs.
Brown wants to do three things (luckily I remembered all of these):
1. If a MP is misbehaving - you should have the right to recall that MP.
2. He wants to reform the House of Commons and the House of Lords. He wants the House of Lords to be elected.
3. He wants the people to write a partition Parliament.
Cameron wants to cut the costs of politics. He means that it is the real apology the politicians have to make. They spend too much money on politics.
My group though that Nick Klegg definitely was the winner of the debate. His body language, his way of speaking and his arguments were great. He takes advantage of his position in a good way.
