With this tired format, the idea that anybody’s minds might be changed by anything that is said is a category error
ecurity was tight at Rupert Murdoch’s London headquarters for the Sun’s “Election Showdown” with Rishi Sunak andfloor, you needed an escort. It wasn’t clear whether the organisers were worried we might get in somewhere we weren’t wanted or whether we might be trying to get out. These events need all the viewers they can get.
Then maybe that’s a metaphor for the whole debate set-up. A format that gets tireder by the day. Yet again best understood as an ego trip for the broadcaster and the presenter. The idea that anyone’s minds might be changed by anything that is said is a category error. If you’re looking for intelligence you’re in the wrong place. This is strictly entertainment. If you can call it that. Not exactly the Euros.
First up was Rish!. The order had been decided earlier by tombola. Predictably the opening question was on the gambling scandal. Equally predictably, the screen started buffering. Sunak started thinking there might be a god after all. Though only a fleeting visit, as the tech recovered for us to hear that Rish! was still incredibly angry.
Then came the small boats. “If I were your prime minister,” Sunak said, “people would be on the plane to Rwanda.” This was tragic. The Freudian slip par excellence. A betrayal of his subconscious. He’s already checked out. Given up. Because he is our prime minister for the next 10 days and the only planes leaving for Rwanda are scheduled flights. His policy has failed. But the audience was in a forgiving mood. The applause was polite. At least he wasn’t Liz Truss.
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