1． For those members of our audience not entirely familiar with the landscape, there are essentially three major players. The Labour Party, The Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats. Give us a thumbnail picture of each party and what they essentially represent.
2．The Conservative Party of David Cameron were hot favourites, but their lead over incumbent Labour is ebbing. Why?
3． While official campaigning hasn’t really begun.. what do you expect to be the main platforms of each of the major players?
4． There are concerns that we could be left with a hung parliament. Explain to us exactly what that is and its implications for how the country will be governed?
5． Just how seriously are people taking the threat of a hung parliament?
6． The alternative to a hung parliament is, I suppose, a coalition. How would that work?
7． The Liberal Democrats say a “close vote” could be good for Britain. How close do you expect it to be? Would it be better for the Lib-Dems to join a coalition or sit essentially as the key decision makers on every piece of legislation in a hung parliament?
8． Elections in Britain are run somewhat differently than those in the United States – a process that takes more than a year and is one I suppose most people are fairly familiar with. For example, typically how long is election campaigning in Britain, and how big a part does money and lobby groups play?
9． There has been some criticism of “negative campaigning” by the Conservative Party. Do British voters get turned on or off by negative campaigning?
10． We are also going to see televised debates between the parties for the first time. There is still some controversy – but certainly there will be Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg. How do you think these guys will do in a debate situation.. and how much impact will their performance have on the overall outcome of the election?
11． There has been speculation that voter turnout at this election will be lower than normal, that people are just tired of politicians. What factors have led to voter apathy? (expenses scandal.. bickering.. infighting.. lack of direction?)
12． How wide watched has the Chilcott Enquiry been in Britain, and has that – or is that – having any impact on voters?
13． There is a record number of Members of Parliament not standing for re-election. Why is that?
14． It has been suggested that many of the MPs have decided to call it a day because special payments to sitting members of parliament who lose might be scrapped after this election. Are these people just trying to secure their golden parachute before it is too late?
15． There seems to be a distinct lack of celebrities jumping on the campaign bandwagon – actress Goldie Hawn (who to be frank is not quite A-list anymore) will endorse Cameron and the Conservatives. But where have all the celebrities gone?
16． On the topic of celebrities. Veteran actor Sir Michael Caine was once a firm Conservative and Margaret Thatcher supporter. Back in 1997 he switched his support to New Labour, but is now said to be returning to the Conservative fold. He said, “I mean, we’re in a terrible state whichever way you look at it. I don’t know what Cameron’s going to do, but in the end you have to have someone new and see what happens.” Now that isn’t what you’d describe as a ringing endorsement is it, but is that sentiment widely held?
17． Gordon Brown’s so called “Star Chamber” of leading chief executives and chairmen have just announced they’ll quite happily serve under a Conservative administration. How much of a blow to Brown’s credibility to lead Britain out of financial crisis has that been?
18． Now here is a worrying statistic. A poll among Britain’s university students revealed that 33-percent did not know that Gordon Brown was the leader of Labour Party. Thirty-four percent couldn’t place David Cameron as the head of the Conservatives – and about half had pretty much no idea about the Lib Dem’s Nick Clegg. Well, I think it is worrying – do you? And how worried should Brown, Cameron and Clegg be?
Thanks and enjoy the show!
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