The EU debate

Graham_Devon

Bantex wrote: »

Clegg tends to be a little short on hard facts when pushed and prefers to make wild extrapolations about how dependent the UK is upon EU membership.

One I find annoying is when he quotes that someting like 50% of all uK trade is with the EU (probably true) but then assumes that leaving would mean that would all be lost (Utter rubbish)

It went even further tonight, suggesting there would be NO trade with the EU nations we currently trade with.

Obviously complete tosh.

Jennifer_Jane

It was supposed to be a debate on Europe, but Clegg played the man not the subject. I am still no better informed on this subject, but I do know that Clegg has lost a lot of credibility. Everyone knows that Farage said he admired Putin as an operator, but would hate to know him or live in his country etc.


Clegg has revealed himself to be patronising and weak, with no argument whatsoever. He played the man, and failed.


Farage handled himself with dignity.

wotsthat

Jennifer_Jane wrote: »

It was supposed to be a debate on Europe, but Clegg played the man not the subject. I am still no better informed on this subject, but I do know that Clegg has lost a lot of credibility.

Clegg made an error of judgement getting involved. Farage had nothing to lose and all to gain. As long as he kept his cool just being in a debate with the DPM was going to be beneficial to UKIP.

Thrugelmir

Jennifer_Jane wrote: »

It was supposed to be a debate on Europe, but Clegg played the man not the subject.

Perhaps the issue with the current political elite in this country across all 3 major parties. Telling us what we want. Rather than listening and determining policy from there. Clegg is heading for Brussels and the gravy train.

Bantex_2

Thrugelmir wrote: »

Perhaps the issue with the current political elite in this country across all 3 major parties. Telling us what we want. Rather than listening and determining policy from there. Clegg is heading for Brussels and the gravy train.

Listening would involve a referendum though.

Graham_Devon

wotsthat wrote: »

Clegg made an error of judgement getting involved. Farage had nothing to lose and all to gain. As long as he kept his cool just being in a debate with the DPM was going to be beneficial to UKIP.

I fear you totally underestimate Farage.

All the main parties have tried to say this about Farage and all have been shocked by how far he has come.

Where Clegg was vaguely talking about windmills, Farage went straight to the point. Windmills are fine for those who have the land, and therefore, the wealth to make the money from them. For the rest of us, they cost us more. That goes straight to the heart of the majority of the UK, upsetting only those who do quite well from the EU thankyou very much.

He's one of the best political speakers we have. You may not agree with him, I don't totally agree with him, but his manor and direct answering of questions always leaves other politicians hanging.

It's going to get more and more difficult to simply suggest he's an irrelevance. He and the party have shown they can gain support, yet the pro-EU side still try the same old, well worn route of trying to make out he's nothing.

Theres only so many times you can attempt to dumb down another argument, before your argument itself ends up so dumbed down, it's of irrelevance to what's actually being said or debated.

Lib dems found that out tonight.

wotsthat

Graham_Devon wrote: »

I fear you totally underestimate Farage.

Not at all. He's shrewd - I'm amazed he managed to persuade Clegg into becoming part of the Nigel Farage show.

I can't name another UKIP member though apart from Geoffrey Bloom. That's where his problem lies - no depth.

armour

Personally I'm hoping for a very good UKIP showing in the euros in May this year, possibly even a win!
Well done Nigel for refusing to rise (or should that be sink) to Clegg's provocation.

armour

wotsthat wrote: »

Not at all. He's shrewd - I'm amazed he managed to persuade Clegg into becoming part of the Nigel Farage show.

I can't name another UKIP member though apart from Geoffrey Bloom. That's where his problem lies - no depth.

Just recently there have been some impressive characters banging the Ukip drum.
Director of communications Patrick O'Flynn, second in command Paul Nuttall and the energy spokesman Roger Melder, who gave an impressive performance on Question Time recently.

The likes of Godfrey Bloom have been cast out. He sits as an independent MEP now.

I feel you may have had a point a year ago but nowadays the UKIP back office seems much more professional.

Of course, it helps that the anti - EU arguement is such an easy one to make, as evidenced by tonight's encounter.

mayonnaise

Graham_Devon wrote: »

It is, however, wrong to suggest we have a democracy, while suggesting we shouldn't have a say.

You have a say. It's called the general election.

societys_child wrote: »

What's a bad idea? A referendum?

Yeah. Very bad idea.