Firstly I'd like to praise ITV Wales's coverage of this election. It's been good overall, and it's pleasing that a commercial operation has put effort into it. I also think Jonathan Hill did a fine job as host last night, and was quick to point out if something was devolved or not as well as asking one or two awkward rebound questions.
Please don't take this as an endorsement of the Welsh media as a whole, they try their best but we should still look quite jealously at Scotland in this regard.
First and foremost, it was a very impressive performance by Ieuan Wyn Jones. He showed an aggression and passion that he isn't exactly known for. Someone's been at the Relentless! However, this isn't a "Clegg Moment" in the election campaign overall, for obvious reasons. Despite an annoying tendency to waffle off-topic, and almost being caught out once or twice, it was a very assured performance and one both he and Plaid can be pleased with. I just hope he realises he may have shown his cards too soon for next week's BBC debate. 8/10
A typically eye-catching Kirsty Williams did a good job for the Lib Dems. Is she trying a bit too hard to be on the audience's side though? It seemed a little contrived and cheesy. That doesn't mean she wasn't effective. She can dish out as good as she gets, and caused an awkward moment or two for both IWJ and Carwyn Jones. If she can ditch the prim and proper school girl manners; like raising her hand before speaking, pulling faces as though she's going to "scweem and scweem until I can scweem no more" and went on the offensive more often, she would give off an aura of gravitas and leadership. At the moment it's far too obvious she's in opposition. 7/10
Carwyn Jones was ever affable. However, I think he trod a lot of the same ground as IWJ in his answers - at times both gave near enough exactly the same answer! Sadly for Carwyn, IWJ was more effective. It's the same stuff from Labour about Tory-cuts, and once again I don't think we heard enough Labour policy. He defended Labour's record well, and gave decent enough answers, but what he lacks in these debates is a bit of passion. He's far too laid back. Labour may well walk the election, but their leader at least should appear as though there's something to fight for. 6.5/10
Poor Nick Bourne had the short straw. I don't think he (or Carwyn Jones) expected IWJ to be so aggressive - and it showed - at least initially, in Nick's body language. He seemed very apologetic for his UK colleagues, and spent far too long defending them than promoting the Welsh Conservatives' cause. He did come back into it towards the end and stood up to IWJ's more robust approach. Once again the Conservatives go on the "talk Wales down" road, I wish they would be positive about their own policies and Wales just once. I don't think they are (the much trotted out phrase) "anti-Welsh" but their dour commentary borders on self-loathing. 6/10
Please don't take this as an endorsement of the Welsh media as a whole, they try their best but we should still look quite jealously at Scotland in this regard.
First and foremost, it was a very impressive performance by Ieuan Wyn Jones. He showed an aggression and passion that he isn't exactly known for. Someone's been at the Relentless! However, this isn't a "Clegg Moment" in the election campaign overall, for obvious reasons. Despite an annoying tendency to waffle off-topic, and almost being caught out once or twice, it was a very assured performance and one both he and Plaid can be pleased with. I just hope he realises he may have shown his cards too soon for next week's BBC debate. 8/10
A typically eye-catching Kirsty Williams did a good job for the Lib Dems. Is she trying a bit too hard to be on the audience's side though? It seemed a little contrived and cheesy. That doesn't mean she wasn't effective. She can dish out as good as she gets, and caused an awkward moment or two for both IWJ and Carwyn Jones. If she can ditch the prim and proper school girl manners; like raising her hand before speaking, pulling faces as though she's going to "scweem and scweem until I can scweem no more" and went on the offensive more often, she would give off an aura of gravitas and leadership. At the moment it's far too obvious she's in opposition. 7/10
Carwyn Jones was ever affable. However, I think he trod a lot of the same ground as IWJ in his answers - at times both gave near enough exactly the same answer! Sadly for Carwyn, IWJ was more effective. It's the same stuff from Labour about Tory-cuts, and once again I don't think we heard enough Labour policy. He defended Labour's record well, and gave decent enough answers, but what he lacks in these debates is a bit of passion. He's far too laid back. Labour may well walk the election, but their leader at least should appear as though there's something to fight for. 6.5/10
Poor Nick Bourne had the short straw. I don't think he (or Carwyn Jones) expected IWJ to be so aggressive - and it showed - at least initially, in Nick's body language. He seemed very apologetic for his UK colleagues, and spent far too long defending them than promoting the Welsh Conservatives' cause. He did come back into it towards the end and stood up to IWJ's more robust approach. Once again the Conservatives go on the "talk Wales down" road, I wish they would be positive about their own policies and Wales just once. I don't think they are (the much trotted out phrase) "anti-Welsh" but their dour commentary borders on self-loathing. 6/10
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