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Are you two the best we can do?

(143 Posts)
Iam64 Thu 27-Jun-24 13:30:18

That’s the question audience member Robert Blackstock asked Sunak and Starmer at last night’s leadership debate. Is this a helpful question?

Oreo Thu 27-Jun-24 13:37:28

No it isn’t, it’s simply rude.
It could be legitimately asked of Trump and Biden of course.

NotSpaghetti Thu 27-Jun-24 13:37:32

No.

Cabowich Thu 27-Jun-24 13:40:01

Sorry, but I loved it. I think it echoed what a lot of people are feeling - don't really want either of the contenders to be PM. And I'm pretty sure the American electorate are feeling the same way.

Iam64 Thu 27-Jun-24 13:43:58

I also thought it confrontational and designed to shut down, rather than encourage debate.
I saw Mr Blackstock interviewed later. He’s always voted Conservative but says currently he’s uncertain.

Siope Thu 27-Jun-24 13:50:11

No.

Germanshepherdsmum Thu 27-Jun-24 13:51:40

I thought it very rude.

Whitewavemark2 Thu 27-Jun-24 13:52:52

Assuming the BBC chose the questions - it was a bit of a waste when so many important issues weren’t raised.

nanaK54 Thu 27-Jun-24 13:56:30

Extremely rude in my opinion

Wyllow3 Thu 27-Jun-24 13:58:07

Just what I was going to say WWM - waste of time - more important issues or issues cut off because of time shortage.

Anniebach Thu 27-Jun-24 14:04:03

Extremely rude, suppose the questioner thought it clever

Silvergirl Thu 27-Jun-24 14:04:49

Rude, childish and totally unhelpful.

Whethertomorrow Thu 27-Jun-24 14:05:31

I think it was a pertinent thing to say to their faces because let’s face it they were both dire.

Perhaps ,but I doubt it, it will make them rethink their attitudes.

nanna8 Thu 27-Jun-24 14:13:21

I would have thought their future policies would have been a more important topic. It says a lot about the interviewer. Sounds pathetic.

Siope Thu 27-Jun-24 14:13:30

Other candidates are, of course, available.

Germanshepherdsmum Thu 27-Jun-24 14:14:01

I don’t think Sunak was dire, but I thought Starmer was.

Jewelle Thu 27-Jun-24 14:15:32

Appallingly rude question I thought.

DamaskRose Thu 27-Jun-24 14:18:43

Complete waste of time.

Joseann Thu 27-Jun-24 14:23:52

I didn't see the debate, but from what I read it was tacked on to the end of something else he said.
They weren't going to answer him anyway, so he got his comeuppance.

Wyllow3 Thu 27-Jun-24 14:31:00

Germanshepherdsmum

I don’t think Sunak was dire, but I thought Starmer was.

Vice versa, of course.....

TerriBull Thu 27-Jun-24 14:32:26

It's somewhat rude, but my thoughts are exactly that on the dire choice the Americans face.

rafichagran Thu 27-Jun-24 14:44:59

I thought he was very arrogant and condescending. I did not see the point of the question.
Whatever I think of Sunak and Starmer I think they did well not to rise to him.

Iam64 Thu 27-Jun-24 14:50:30

Joseann, no it was a question he submitted before the programme. He was one of other members of the audience to have his question selected to be used
It’s interesting that so many of us responded negatively to Mr Blackstock’s question. I think Annie is correct, Mr B thought it clever. Says more about him than Sunak or Starmer

MayBee70 Thu 27-Jun-24 14:52:17

I didn't watch the debate but from what I've heard there were no questions about mental health or education. So what a complete waste of a question.

Iam64 Thu 27-Jun-24 14:54:53

It was MayBee. I was disappointed the BBC selected it , especially when so many important issues weren’t covered.
I wasn’t impressed by Mishal the moderator’s management either. Grump