UK: David Cameron [Conservative candidate] fights back in second leaders' debate

The Telegraph ^ | 4/22/2010 | Andrew Porter and Robert Winnett

[bruinbirdman]

David Cameron came back stronger in the second television debate as Nick Clegg again turned in an accomplished performance and Gordon Brown appeared to trail behind the other two.

Mr Cameron was more successful in engaging with the television audience than last week and repeatedly styled himself as a premier in waiting, beginning several answers with the words ‘if I were your Prime Minister...’

Mr Clegg again used the ploy of referring to ‘the old parties’, a line which inevitably seemed to lack the impact of a week ago, but also referred to Barack Obama more than once in an attempt to assume the mantle of change. However, he came under sustained attack from the other leaders over his policy not to renew the Trident nuclear missile system.

Mr Brown appeared more passionate than last week but spent less of the debate engaging with the audience and more of his time attacking his two rivals.

The debate was more intense and the result harder to call. One early poll, by You Gov, put Mr Cameron in first place.However, another poll showed Mr Clegg to be the best performer and placed Gordon Brown and Mr Cameron tied.

Mr Cameron was also forced to concede for the first time that he would be prepared to work with Mr Clegg in a hung parliament.

With Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg appearing to pull away from Mr Brown, theprospect arose of the Liberal Democrats proving the main challenger to the Conservatives although, because of the quirks of the electoral system, Mr Brown could come third but still win the most seats.

Mr Clegg seemed unruffled by the pressure that was on him after last week’s performance that sent the Lib Dem poll ratings rising and again repeatedly referred to the “two old parties”.

For

[pissant]

All three are about as worthless as they come.

[rmlew]

Note to Tories, no more Red/Wet Tories as leader or you’ll become a third party and the UK will die.

[rmlew]

No kidding. I’m left hoping that Labourites will defect to the BNP now that Labour’s war on the white working class is in the open, and right leaners will break for the Conservatives or UKIP. That would be change.