What happens next..?

Having an interest in the political crisis taking place in our country at present, I thought it would be a good idea to attend a debate taking place at my university about the upcoming general elections.

City University’s new Head of Journalism, Professor George Brock, who was hosting the event said: “The members of this panel will help to shape what you see and hear about the long election campaign that has just begun. Find out what they know. Find out what they think."

Walking in with an open mind was a positive start. It wasn’t long before the lecture theatre was almost full with under and post grads. The City University Journalism department is huge as it is, so I guess I was expecting some interesting questions being put forward to the panel.

The panel was made up by some of the UK’s most prominent political journalists, including Sam Coates (Chief Political Correspondent, The Times), Steve Richards (Chief Political Commentator, The Independent) and Pippa Crerar (Political Correspondent, Evening Standard), to debate the runners and riders in the general election race.

It started off pretty boring with Pippa Crerar so far away from the mike, you could hardly hear her. Then Steve Richards came to the mike and lit up the whole lecture theatre. His loud voice and strong views made a lot of the audience nod to his points. He came up with some plausible suggestions towards the Labour and Conservative party which stirred up some views from the audience. Concluding with Sam Coates and his ideas, a prediction was made of the election results by each panellist.

Some of their predictions made sense and in reality, could actually happen. But as far as I’m aware, political outcomes are always doubtful to the very end.

Many people came up with different points, such as why has The Sun made its decision to openly support the Tories during campaign? Has blogging changed political journalism? And has the MP’s expenses scandal really messed stuff for the outcome of these elections? All questions which may seem easy to answer, but difficult to understand what’s really behind it.

Overall I think the debate went well. It broadened my knowledge of the elections and what could actually happen. But I think I’m left with the question “What do the Tories actually stand for?” We seem to be wanting a way out from Labour, but a way in with the Tories may not necessarily be the answer...Hmm!