Televised Political Debate: 50 odd years in the making

By Tal-Anna Szlenski

“A historic moment in television” was how Alastair Stewart described tonight’s televised debate between Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Cleg on ITV. To that I can only respond, Yeah right. Erm, did the so-called Nixon-Kennedy debate taking place 50 years ago (yes, 50!) in the US, slip his mind?

The frenzy, zeal and buzz surrounding this happening borders on embarrassing. Don’t get me wrong, such an event is noteworthy. But in this case the hype should have been focusing on the content to be expected (or issues such as Nick Clegg appearing – is Britian truly turning into a 3-party system or is it just for show?) – not the format.

The significance assigned to the fact that this was to be Britain’s first televised election debate, becomes even more laughable considering the fact that much newer mediums have long been introduced to the election race. Just because it is a long overdue first, doesn’t necessarily make it a ‘decisive and changing event for British politics and political communication’. And yes, I am aware that this opinion goes directly against those who are keen to argue that the importance lies in the fact that all three leaders were gathered to discuss policy issues.

I on the other hand argue that apart from them standing in the same room when seeking to trump their rehearsed soundbytes through, this debate did not provide any legitimacy to claims branding it as a new dawn in British politics. Any such claims quickly fade in light of Twitter, Facebook, blogging and of course the 1960 debate between Kennedy and Nixon.

In postwar US a televised debate introduced the so-called personification of politics. It was truly a new way for people to engage with politicians. In a post-recession Britain, where people increasingly find themselves able to gain information and access to political happenings as they are taking place (in the name of transparency of course…), a TV debate is just one of many mediums driving forward the message of the politicians.

If ‘the medium is the message’ as our old beloved friend McLuhan claimed, then tonight’s debate only goes to show that the establishment’s approach to political communication is stuck in the past. This of course confirmed by the appearance of the ITV TV studio which would in mild terms be classified in a category starting with p and ending with an assé.

In other words – as confirmed by most commentators and bloggers out there, nothing groundbreaking in the content of this event either. My own little summary of sentiments derived from the debate:

• Gordon Brown: ‘Let me complete the projects we have started whilst in government. And by the way the recession is a global phenomenon – not just us affected (effectively, it’s not my fault).’

 

• David Cameron: ’13 years of Labour failures. We will provide solutions to mend broken Britain                                            ’, (blank space to denote the ongoing silence regarding Ashcroft and Grayling).

 

• Nick Clegg: ‘Labour, Conservatives – they’re all the same. They have ruled the country for the last 65 years. We haven’t. Now it must be our turn. We’re different.’