UK Leadership Debate

It is not often that I wish I was British, but after watching the second UK Leadership Debate - the first ever televised debates between party leaders (Labour, Liberal Democrat, Conservative) - I have myself thinking "God Save the Queen!"

Nick Clegg of the Liberal Democrats spoke very well and I can see why his party is now leading in opinion polling. Brown sounded like Gordon Brown and the old Labour guard. Personally, he lost points with me by touting his immigration "point system" which is similar to that of Canada and Australia. The points system may bring in the most skilled foreign workers and immigrants to Canada/UK/Australia - but that does not guarantee that they will be employed in those sectors. Moreover, the point system will not deter illegal immigration of undocumented workers. Additionally, Brown's insistence on nuclear energy was thoroughly shot down by both Conservative and Liberal Democrat rebuttals.

Then there was David Cameron - a real conservative. A true Tory. I liked his thoughts on the environment; the Pope and organized religion; and government accountability - but I was put off with his final thoughts about putting the "family first" and all those other typical Republican buzzwords.

In the end, Cameron - in my opinion - won the debate and is probably poised to be the best prime minister of all three. Who has the best ideas? Nick Clegg is the most progressive of all the big three candidates and I liked a lot of the ideas and policies he put forward.

After the debate, third party leaders and representatives were interviewed in the BBC and they spoke like... well... third parties. You know the old taglines, "I couldn't put a cigarette paper between the parties;" "I didn't see a debate between these people - they're all the same;" et cetera, et cetera... Despite that the big three are all London-based, many of the third parties are regional or serve fringe interests - like leaving the EU.

If only Canadian politics was as exciting and Best wishes to all the parties, their leaders and candidates! Good Luck.