Paxman the winner????

Did you watch the live debate that wasn’t a live debate because it was not the head-to-head debate we all wanted, well those of us who were interested. Did we learn much? Not really, but I personally believe we learnt more about Ed Miliband than David Cameron.

Cameron was up first with Jeremy Paxman and was on the defensive with questions on food banks. He was asked how many they were five years ago at the start of his government and looked very uncomfortable trying to give the standard reply he has been giving for years. For someone who says he cares he has yet to visit a food bank. Although he did manage to make a secret visit to one without press coverage or see any of the food bank users.

Another two major questions involved emigration and zero hour contracts. He squirmed has he was reminded of is promise before the last election on net migration. He sprouted some figures but he could not lie he failed on his pre-election promise. Pushed on zero hour contracts he admitted he couldn’t live on one but I doubt he would ever be in that position. Of course, during these last five years, this kind of contract as flourished but he had figures at hand to dispel anything of the kind.

Paxman when personal on Miliband, asking whether he was “tough enough” to be prime minister – and whether he was a “north London geek’’ and on his brother who he beat to the leadership of the Labour party. He also doubted whether he could be taken seriously on the international stage and suggesting if he was to go into a meeting with the Russian leader it would be over in two minutes with Miliband laying on the floor.

Both were asked about reducing the deficit and how they would fund it. Paxman asked Cameron where the £12 billion in welfare cuts is going to come from. However, he didn’t say were the axe would fall. Paxman pushed Miliband on how much borrowing he was planning more than the Tories. Outside the protected departments Heath and Education, he planned to reduce spending.

At the end Paxman dropped in an ‘Are you alright Ed’ has the camera panned away. I can’t remember him asking the same of Cameron. A bit patronising I thought.

The Q&A session with the audience members moderated by Sky's Kay Burley was the weakest part of the debate. When politicians are asked, questions by members of the general public they become ultra-cautious and start to waffle on a bit. I thought Miliband got the toughest ride again with the personal stuff about brother and his so-called weakness. The media and press have been running this boring line since he became leader of the Labour party.

It started with Red Ed then he became weak, a geek and awkward. Do we really need a kind of a song and dance Prime Minster, a performer, because if we do the lets pick someone via an X-Factor show? I just want someone who can do the job.

Snap poll suggested Cameron win this round but not by much while social media like Twitter during the show edged in favour of Miliband.