BBC Our Next Prime Minister

Correction: Mattias Maitlis

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...and I hated the constant efforts if the dummies who were trying to appear to be all things to all men.
I was adopted. I was poor. I have a great great grandfather who was Muslim. My dad was a bus driver. I'm married to an immigrant.
It sounded like an infant school playground, with each candidate trying to morph like a chameleon into the person most likely to identify with the onscreen questioner.
Unedifying.

I partly watched it , but found an even better programme on BBC2 Dara O'Brien's, family IQ game.
but as to the subject , to much Brexit and not enough home issues.
And who has got guts to take Corbyn's flack across the table at PMQs , Boris seems the strongest in that area, others seem to weak .
Do you want a soft Prime Minster or someone who speaks out?
Mick

Having listened to half the debate, I zoned out due to the incompetence of Emily Mattias to curtail the arguments and waffle and her constant chatter over the cacophony emanating from those posturing waffling turkey cocks in suits.
I also hate the thumb over fist hand gesture adopted by all politicians when making a point.
I was really disappointed that Boris expelled so much hot air in his replies. Like a tin of Scottish mist, once opened, the buyer realises that they have been duped.
It's not a good feeling.
Visually, I feel Rory Stewart to be unpalatable but he was the more realistic of the dummies on display.
Now...if we could pick out the best qualities and more realistic aspirations and plans of each of the group and meld them into one MP, we might get somewhere. Until that day we just have to 'pray' for a miracle.
The backstop fiasco and intransigence of Barnier and co plus the cotton candy ideas about taxation which might smell sweet to some but disappear to nothing when tasted tested, make me convinced that we'd do better to pick any member of the public and give them the job of running the country.
It reminds me of a verse from The Pied Piper Of Hamelin.

At last the people in a body
To the Town Hall came flocking:
``Tis clear,'' cried they, ``our Mayor's a noddy;
And as for our Corporation -- shocking
To think we buy gowns lined with ermine
For dolts that can't or won't determine
What's best to rid us of our vermin!
You hope, because you're old and obese,
To find in the furry civic robe ease?
Rouse up, sirs! Give your brains a racking
To find the remedy we're lacking,
Or, sure as fate, we'll send you packing!''
At this the Mayor and Corporation
Quaked with a mighty consternation.

It's a pity nobody asked the most obvious question of Johnson and Gove...
"You spent most of the referendum campaign riding around in a big red bus that promised to divert £350 million a week from the EU to the NHS when we have left. When you are Prime Minister, you will be in a position to honour that promise. If you intend to casually discard such a high profile and publicly made pledge, why should we believe you on any of the other promises you are making now?"
After all, the whole desperate urgency behind brexit is, not that it will do us any good, but is the vital need to fulfil a pledge, solemnly made in 2016, in order to maintain trust in politicians. Apparently, though, the various other promises made at the same time can be casually tossed away and forgotten about.
Did any of them answer the question about cuts to children’s services?

Was not impressed with the format, Emily maitless was awful and kept interjecting at inappropriate times before they had a chance to answer the questions. I wasn't particularly impressed at how the MPs answered the questions. Sajid seemed most genuine, although Jeremy is a strong contender. I don't like Gove or Boris at all. Rory answered with some integrity and passion. It's a helluva job to do in anyone's book.

I agree lullydully. Rory Stewart comes across as a petulant schoolboy. He's no leader and lacks gravitas.

Two weeks doing right on media appearances with celebrities doesn't cut it with me. He also has to appeal to his parliamentary party and members, who are going to vote, not the electorate. He's campaigning for a GE, not a leadership contest.

I like Sajid, who is the most authentic. Jeremy lacks personality and Gove is too earnest, although came out with some blinders.

At least Emily questioned Johnsons record as foreign secretary...

I bet Rory's heart sank when he saw those chairs.
As a short person I know that your feet can't reach the bar where you put your feet. That's why he had to sit on the edge of the chair with his feet on the floor.

I wondered if he has a bad back. Those chairs didn't look the most comfortable!

Yes, I thought Rory Stewart’s legs looked at a very peculiar angle, most ungainly.

Did you notice Rory Stewart removed his tie early on in the programme? He looked very uncomfortable on his seat, too, wriggling around and rearranging his legs every five minutes. I wanted to shout 'That boy - stop fidgeting!'

Emily was not the best choice.

Rory Stewart’s “Afghanistan” story is “debatable”

I was also disappointed with Emily Maitless. She allowed them to talk over each other and did not insist they actually answer the questions.

Bring back Jeremy Paxman.

Emily was awful I agree, but the 'fab 4' are plainly terrified of Rory as evidenced by them all constantly talking over him trying to shut him down.
Not very edifying for any of them.

What a box of waffles. The only thing we learnt is that Emily Maitless was the wrong choice as presenter.

We gave up before the end. It was very badly chaired and managed . I thought Rory Stewart came over as rude and petulant. I am glad I don't get to vote between them.

Totally agree. Rory Stewart was the only one who came across as anything like honest. The others all promised tax cuts on one hand (following on from Brexit?!) - and then pledged to boost public services to the next questioner. Do they all think we are stupid?

All seemed a bit rowdy, didn’t think Emily had control of proceedings . Usual flannel from all of them really, no one answered the questions properly.

Spot on