I've just watched the official BBC Election Debate. In the beautiful setting of Cambridge, with endless history and stunning architecture, the stage was set. Set for the 7 major parties to make their case to the British people. Set for fearless debate, with a wide range of views being heard. Set for an understanding of what the next 5 years will entail. Set for true leadership, and weaknesses, to be on full show. Well, after watching the debate, I am no clearer to knowing what the future holds. All I can be sure of is that the next 5 years will not be smooth.
Who knew bothering to turn up would be such a problem? Surely, when an election is called, party leaders would take all opportunities to explain why their plan is the best and refute alternative solutions. You might understand if a minor party leader - not prepared for the full force of the election - declined an appearance at the debate. You certainly wouldn't expect the person who called the debate not to appear. Theresa May relying on Amber Rudd, the home secretary, to deliver the Conservative vision shows her lack of confidence and conviction. If she couldn't even debate with other party leaders, how an Earth will she manage with the 27 EU nations? Even Jeremy Corbyn, who flip flopped on whether to appear, eventually decided to come along. I'm so pleased that many references were made to her nonappearance by other leaders. Perhaps she was too busy foxhunting? It was clear issues over how plans were going to be paid for significant for the audience. I like many of the plans in the Labour manifesto, such as renationalisation, free tuition fees, 10,000 extra police & the triple lock on pensions. However, I was left wondering how these policies would be paid for. Though I'm very pleased corporation tax is going to be increased, it doesn't seem like that alone can pay for everything. I was annoyed at those, like Paul Nuttall, opposed to corporation tax increases. I thought UKIP disliked the EU because it was for big business? Other parties offered little else, apart from the Conservatives who wish to lower corporation tax, at the expense of the poorest. After all, that is their ideology. I was pleased at the references to climate change and the - nearly - universal anger at Donald Trump for leaving the Paris Climate Agreement. As the President of the most powerful nation, he should have been leading the way in making the world a more environmentally sustainable place. This will be to the benefit of people today, through better air quality, and generations to come, through wonderful ecosystems still existing. The image of Theresa May being a 'bloody difficult woman' was diminished if she wasn't able to stand up to Trump on climate. Given the atrocities of Manchester, security featuring in the debate was obvious. Even 9 days on, the horrific events that took place are still raw and my deepest thoughts are with all those affected. The support for some elements of anti-terror legislation, and anger at Jeremy Corbyn's opposition to them, worried me. On issues such as detention without charge/trial for up to 90 days, that does seem like an abolition of our liberty. To be locked up for nearly 3 months with no evidence, to me, hands the state too much power. Along with plans to read all of our emails and WhatsApp messages, the snooping of Government must not go unchallenged. Integration between communities of different faiths must be encouraged. The easiest way to do this seems to be all non-English speaking immigrants having to learn English. As I've previously said, that allows integration within the community instead of isolation. The arguments about the EU, and what parts we were leaving, were still being fought. Theresa May, instead of calling this vanity election out of arrogance, could have been negotiating with the EU as I type. Instead negotiations have been delayed until after the election, with still no guarantee on the rights of EU and UK citizens. To me, it seemed obvious that leaving the EU meant leaving every single part of the EU, from the Single Market to the Customs Union. Hence why I supported remain. So, as a Re-Leavers, I believe that leaving all parts of the EU is unavoidable. The question should instead be getting the best deal and maintaining a strong friendship afterwards. The Lib Dems and the Greens support another referendum; personally, I believe a final parliamentary vote would be more effective. So, to sum up? An hour and a half of shouting, clapping, booing and, some, important comments. The debate didn't tell me anything more than I already knew. I'm sure whatever the viewing figures, they would have been higher if Theresa May appeared. Whoever wins next Thursday, there are many tough challenges around the corner from Brexit to terrorism, climate change to solving the NHS. How people make up their minds about who should run the show....I don't know.
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