Strictly............

[Stessy]

It's getting like "Strictly" - ie a popularity contest. When will people realise that you shouldn't be voting for "your favourite", but rather, for the one who you believe to be the best?

Please let Adam Boulton make it a true debate, rather than just an opportunity to expound nice cliches, many of which you've heard before, virtually word for word.

Just because Clegg looks fresh-faced and squeaky clean doesn't mean his policies are. While his stance on many issues differs from the two big parties, last week, his ideas and opinions - attractive as they may appear - were barely challenged in terms of either affordability or practicality.

I really am fed up of this being little more than a beauty contest. There's been more on TV today about the inmportance of "body language" and presentation than anything else.

Are we really all so shallow?

My fear is that the answer to that question is yes.

Nick Clegg does well because he knows what he believes in and he knows how to argue it. That's all.

I agree, I want to see all three leaders really hashing out the policies tonight, no free rides for clegg like last week.

Bolton's pretty good I think, so let's hope we see some decent debate and get to the nitty gritty.

welcome to mumsnet stessy

"Nick Clegg does well because he knows what he believes in and he knows how to argue it. That's all. "

Yes the acting paid off a treat didn't it.

He's exactly the same on radio, where there's no pretty face and no body language. He got completely grilled the other day on Radio 1 - it was a studio audience - and came out on top. He's just very good at explaining his points.

agree that I want to see them hashing out the policies, too. The first debate was good like that in that there was some argument, and we hadn't had anything remotely resembling an exchange of views between political leaders for... (anybody know how long? did they use to have debates?) but yes, I'd like to see the second one go further.

Yes Stessy, obviously we are all that shallow. I am planning to base my decision on how Nick Clegg looks in a pair of jeans and am hoping to get a glimpse of his shoes to see if they are polished tonight.

Actually, what I really am interested in is hearing him talk about Europe as I want to be really clear on where he stands on this and not the half truths that seem to get bandied about by the press and the hoards of new posters that seem to be appearing on forums at an alarming rate of knots at the moment.

WB+N worth listening to the Wednesday Election Call (starts at about 23 minutes into show, from memory) as he answers calls on the Euro and Europe among other things.

Thank you Webdude, I'll have a listen.

Those who are taking the time to read this and who genuinely care about the election result may well not be overly swayed by the "performance".

It is just my fear that many - even the majority (scary tho' that seems) - have, until now, only had a superficial interest in politics and yes, that the colour of tie, the length of stubble will matter sufficiently to affect their voting intentions!

Stressy, I understand what you are saying. But I was with a friend the other day who asked me if I was going to vote which took me aback as I couldn't contemplate not doing so.

She'd watched the debate last week with her DH and said that before she 'wasn't going to bother voting' but having listened to the debate both her and her DH were really impressed with what Nick Clegg said. Not once did she refer to what he looked like, what he was wearing but it was what he said and how he had made his point, he genuinely struck a chord with them which I don't think she was expecting.

I think the whole Cleggmania thing is because for so long it has been a two horse race and after many years something different is going on at a time when people view the country as pretty screwed, so as a result people are sitting up and taking note. There will always be comments on body language, presentation etc and I guess there will be some people who are swayed by this. But I do believe that people know how critical this election is and can see beyond the hype. It could all be a different story tomorrow after tonight anyway, who knows.

Stessy, all I can say is that Clegg has always been good at putting arguments - I've heard him speak a few times at non-Lib Dem things too (on EU reform as it happens), which is why I voted for him for Lib Dem leader.

Is Cameron going to move away from his "I met a man who" type anecdotes in this debate and back up his points in a slightly more rigorous way? And will Brown say anything other than "we've been doing it for 13 years so let us do it some more?"

Neither Cameron nor Brown may say anything more or less palatable than Clegg.

I'm not having a go at the three "combatants", rather the stress that the media has placed on what they look like or the way that they stand.

I think it's great that people are becoming "engaged".

I just hope that people are also becoming informed - which is something different - and base their decisions on that information.

yes, who cares how they stand Although I suppose body language counts for something when it comes to things like international negotiations etc. - people are rightly sceptical of it, but it has a part to play.

I think people (especially younger ones) are becoming informed a lot more than at previous elections - as in actively seeking things out - rather than being spoonfed by the old media.

I'm so disappointed that Adam Boulton, who is generally excellent at being unbiased, has already made a few comments of his dislike of the ... (I've been reading sky news' pages). I hope the above does not leaves this debate to be a popularity contest again, rather than one on policies. I have really enjoyed the debates in the afternoon on 'Daily Politics', let's hope tonight is more political.