Believe it or not, there was yet another televised election debate tonight, this time on Channel 4, called the ‘Everything But Brexit’ debate. The Tories had refused to take part, and while their decision will have been partly down to their ongoing battle with the broadcaster, which they have accused of being biased, they will also have viewed tonight’s programme as an opportunity for them to make their central election pitch without even turning up.
This debate worked in the Conservatives’ favour because it was chaotic, with the representatives of the five parties who did turn up constantly talking and even shouting over each other and the presenter Cathy Newman. At times it sounded like a school playground at the end of term when everyone is tired, including the teacher. Most of the aggression was staged: Labour’s Angela Rayner and the SNP’s Philippa Whitford repeatedly went for Jo Swinson over her party’s support for Coalition cuts, while Plaid Cymru’s Adam Price was busy complaining about Labour’s handling of the NHS in Wales.
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