Dear Nick Clegg...

[CUNextTuesday]

e.g.

This is the most fascinating election I've ever voted in - I feel a buzz in the air from giant bees a genuine 3rd option.

Please don't let the hype of your last TV debate make you either complacent or nervous. People who genuinely want a choice are relying on your popularity sustaining itself. So...er.... no pressure or owt.

Love C. U. N. Tuesday (Ms)

[CurlyCasper]

ahh! 1997, when I turned 18, and lived in Scotland and where/when voters had real choice! So many candidates and not a clear cut Lab V Tory fight in sight.

[SchnitzelVonKrumm]

Markets really not showing signs of panic so far.

[helyg]

I was 19 in 1997, so it was the first time that I was old enough to vote.

I remember feeling like our generation had changed the world by getting rid of the Tories (who had been in power since I was a baby).

Oh, the innocence of youth...

[Brollyflower]

I would suggest toning down slightly the "Well we're all fed up of this same old same old and we can offer something different" just a little bit. This can still be your angle, but you don't have to repeatedly spell it out in so many words. Demonstrate the difference through the policies. Play to the strengths (eg Vince Cable) and don't get drawn into the bitching too much, as that made the other 2 look v unattractive options last time. I also agree with whoever it was who said that you overplayed the unique concensus-building point too. Too much of that next time will be leapt upon by the other 2 as indication that you expect a hung Parliament. Stick to debating the issues and putting forward your policies and ideas in a confident way. Oh and don't go on and on about not being able to see people behind cameras. That didn't play so well.

I would say all 3 leaders have to find a way to make sure it doesn't just look like an exact re-run of the first debate. Nick Clegg had one advantage last time in that he was the first to speak, which presumably he won't get this time.

Whilst we're on the subject, I'd also sugest Gordon Brown drops the pink tie, the smug in joke he always seems to be having with himself, giggling into his notes quietly and stops doing that weird thing with his tongue.

Cameron needs to look less nervous and get some half-decent policies.

[Kez100]

NC just needs to carry on being direct and poitning out their errors and how they need correcting. It's what we all want in GB and he knows it. GB can say he'll improve things all he wants but we know he won't because he hasn't. I heard him on the radio the other day up against some students - every one of which was more switched on to debate than GB and they cornered him. I don't think DC has it in him to win the electorate around, unfortuantely. I never thought I would say it but he came across as a spin-puppet and I don't see that changing.

It's not XFactor voting. We normally vote knowing a lot less about our potential leader than we will this time.

[MadameCastafiore]

Just spoke to DH about a hung parliament him being a finance bod and he reckons it will be bad - something to do with a hung parliament not being able to legislate easily or quickly and interest rates then going up causing more reposessions.

He also reckons that banks will be downgraded very quickly stopping investment in its tracks when it is just looking up.

[meandjoe]

Dear Nick,

All you need to do is stay calm and keep doing what you are already doing brilliantly. Don't get dragged onto all their pathetic squabbles.
Lots of love
Meandjoe
P.S Will you marry me??!

lol. I am purchasing my 'I agree with Nick' T shirt tonight! I just love General Elections. Nothing as empowering and exciting.... maybe I really could do with getting out more??!

[whomovedmychocolate]

Dear Mr Clegg

Please avoid voicing the thoughts of half the country and shouting 'oh FFS David, stop whining about how unfair everything is because you didn't win you big blardy baby wah wah wah'

[specialmagiclady]

Madame Castafiore, please can you ask your DH how interest rates won't be able to move quickly enough because of slow legislation when the interest rates have been set by the Bank of England - nothing to do with government - for the last 10 or so years?

Nothing to do with each other, no?

[waits to be put right by someone who knows more than me...]

[mmrsceptic]

Dear Nick, don't assume first-time voters are dim enough to give you an easy ride. HTH.

[moncia]

Casper - is it too late for you to stand???

I really hope Nick does well, its strange - not sure quite why i'm rooting for him so much - but please don't screw it up now!!!

[WebDude]

"Also their stance on joining the Euro worries me - do we want to be part of that"

On the radio today, said it would not be something to rush into, and would have a referendum. Is that fair enough for you?

"once you figure in what they get back in tax credits etc they are actually better off."

Was questioned on that point, and said without hesitation (once he took in the point from the questioner) that he'd look into it more closely. So there's time for it not be overlooked.

"it is about policies"

Exactly what he stressed, and perhaps something that, via TV debates, is sinking in more with people, now they have a chance to hear more of Lib Dem policies, rather than getting the "punch and judy" show from the other two parties, mostly finger pointing about past errors and not concentrating on how they see things moving, and as importantly, how to pay for those improvements.

"in terms of Trident"

well, they've not ruled it out, they have just said to not stumble blindly into a building programme for new submarines without a defence review to include Trident and any alternative options.

Q. How would Trident cope with some terrorist group planting a dirty bomb ?
A. It wouldn't.

Point is, things have changed so much over past 20 years. No longer do we have an 'Eastern Bloc' with Soviet troops on the borders of Germany, and even the Russians and Americans are looking to scale down nuclear arms.

So rather than make Trident a policy that gets unwavering support (and there are a number of articles saying the Generals back Clegg on Trident) Clegg has said replacing it needs to be postponed while a review takes place.

I suspect many people would prefer 100 billion to be spent on health and education over the next 25 years, rather than replacing a system one hopes will never be used, and if it was, a future {for those left} would be grim.

[gaelicsheep]

Re the so-called unpopular Lib Dem policies that none of us would like if we remembered/found out about them.

Euro - I understand that both NC and VC have admitted that in hindsight joining the Euro would have turned out badly for us. Some think admitting mistakes in policy is a weakness, I prefer to think of it as honesty. I don't believe either if them is advocating this at present.

Amnesty for x hundred thousand illegal immigrants - why the hell not? Why waste millions of pounds of taxpayers money in ejecting people from the country who are settled and contributing? A clean slate all round and a sensible immigration policy from here on in is probably the best way forward IMO.

What I would like more clarity on is the Lib Dem's policy on tax credits. That is the one disappointing aspect of their manifesto, that they don't actually specify how they would change them.

[WebDude]

Oh yes, and on that amnesty question, it was for people who had already been here 10 years, spoke good English, and no criminal record, so anyone putting figures of 750,000 in might need to rethink the numbers somewhat.

gaelicsheep - might be worth checking for a Lib Dem shadow 'minister' because even if [email protected] won't work for e-mail, they are bound to have their own website and I bet they'd be happy to quote policy, or accept any concerns.

If no joy, then use one of the Lib Dem websites (local area first) then UK site.

If no joy, I'm sure a similar question from a bunch of MN posters to their local Lib Dem candidates or area office would get some answers.

[gaelicsheep]

Thanks WebDude, I might do that. It's not a deal breaker for me really as I'm pretty confident we wouldn't be in the group targeted. I was just surprised as there is so much detail about everything else.

[TDiddy]

I think DC and GB wouldn't be able to do him much damage but I think the Murdoch press could!!

[gaelicsheep]

I don't know about others, but the more negative spin I hear about NC the more determined I am to vote LibDem.

[TDiddy]

Cameron needs to look a bit more dishevelled, as opposed to looking like a Madame Tussands escapee. Get Sam Cam to ruffle his hair maybe

[PinkFluffyslippers]

I waxed my legs during last weeks debate - if I do the same this week and Nick Clegg does well in the 2nd debate then my silky smooth legs could become a good luck charm.......

Just a (gross) thought

[TDiddy]

PinkFluffyslippers - gosh, the things women do for Clegg !

[PinkFluffyslippers]

No I did it for myself/ DH - but I was surprised that a: it took me the duration of the whole debate to do two half legs (90 mins) and there was a surge in the polls afterwards in favour of the Lib Dems. Was there a link....

In order to get a Lib Dem majority by May 6th I may have waxed my whole body.

[TDiddy]

[snowlady]

One of the opinion poll people (ipsos maybe?) said he'd run through the streets naked if the Lib Dems won the election..would be funny if they did! this was on BBC News 24 election update the other night.

[TDiddy]

Can I suggest that if NC promised to do that he would increase his vote!

[catinthehat2]

Dear Nick -

how did you feel when all these surprise £££ started to appear in your personal bank account from these lovely businessmen?

Were you
a) thrilled
b) really thrilled
c) crapping yourself that you wouldn't have a good explanation when it hit the newspapers?

kissy

Catinthehat