The Jeremy Paxman interview and a debate that never happened

Jeremy Paxman’s much-criticised grilling of the two major party leaders yesterday left many viewers scratching their heads and wondering if he has lost his touch.

Being considered the ultimate interviewer who puts everyone through the wringer with insightful questions and rapid put downs it came as a surprise to many that Paxman failed to deliver at this pivotal point.

The reality though may have more to do with the background to the debate – if it could be called one where the leader of ruling party Mrs May failed to face her opponent in a face to face debate setting the tone for the Conservative party withdrawal from open debate.

Much of Mrs May’s continuing governance has been a fallout of the failed Brexit vote and as the unelected Prime Minister, she has managed to stay in power without having to face the electorate directly until now.

The face-off between the leaders of the Conservative party and the Labour party turned into a waste of time with both parties claiming victory but neither able to debate each other face to face.

Mrs May undoubtedly guided by her media and political team to avoid a repeat of the face off at the last leader’s debate which had allowed the Liberal Democrats a rung up the ladder into the public consciousness decided to refuse to face her opponent in a sad but entirely predictable approach in a viral internet world.

Repeated politically correct answers from the incumbent prime minister Mrs May and Jeremy Corbyn’s unflappable refusal to say yes to the Trident as nuclear policy both point to a standoff in the situation with neither willing to capitulate.

Mrs May’s approach remains to appear as a strong willed individual who can guide Britain by her toughness albeit challenged by her recent U-turns and the decimation of the police force when she was in charge.

Corbyn’s non-committal stance on a number of issues including Labour’s difficulties with getting their figures right has continued to hint at a mix of amateurish enthusiasm for change without having worked out the where and how to fund question.

Corbyn also adopted a more pragmatic line and appears to have been giving the public a more measured and thought out response indicating openness and a willingness to take on board changes and criticisms while maintaining his ideology.

Mrs May, on the other hand, appeared to present a “The lady’s not for turning” approach while simultaneously trying to distance herself from Mrs Tatchers image.

Much to Mrs Mays consternation a balanced studio audience played put to her usually effusive pre-prepped conservative crowds at rallies which have left her believing in her invincibility. The harsh reaction to Mrs May was if anything an eye opener for the Conservatives who have begun to panic and voice dissent in the ranks.

The sudden backlash, when faced with the harsh test of a live television audience, was worse than expected. Some spectacular zoom in moments on audience reaction have gone viral on Facebook.

GIF’s trouncing Mrs May’s performance have taken over the internet and a Theresa May ‘liar’ song has managed to make it to number three in the iTunes charts.

All of these just proved Mrs May’s advisors right about the potential risk she would have taken in the event of a face to face debate against Jeremy Corbyn.

Corbyn’s stand on a number of issues though challenged remained reasonably obtuse and even his refusal to agree with launching drone attacks against militants conversely won him praise for being more of a pragmatist than May’s hard-line approach.

A population weary of scare mongering and on the receiving end of terrorist attacks and years of negative belt tightening and hardship no longer agreed with most of the responses. Mrs Mays personal attacks against Corbyn also appear to have lost her points with the public.

The Conservative’s failure to address working class needs and it’s promotion of scare mongering appears to be backfiring with the population. A country suffering under years of reduced spending, lower incomes and lower job security have probably said enough is enough.

The internet as a medium of exposure has added to a public realisation of the role of the state as protector of large businesses and the nexus between politicians and the gravy train with various leaks and trending tweets and FB feeds.

Various low tax deals for large multinational corporations, the Panama papers leaks and harsher public spending cuts affecting the lowest and most vulnerable strata has further exacerbated public disillusionment and led to increased detachment with both parties.

Increasing similarities between the two parties, a general sense of disillusionment, incumbency fatigue, lack of strong leadership and lack of cohesiveness within the parties have made this election harder to call.

Despite Mrs May’s clear lead when she called the snap election bookies have now begun to up the odds on Corbyn.

Only time will tell.