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Prime ministerial TV debate by brucieweb

Gordon Brown pitted his experience as the man equipped to save the country from the risk of a double-dip recession, against David Cameron’s call to lead the country towards change, in the opening exchanges of the first televised leaders’ debate in British electoral history tonight.

But Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrat leader, appeared to win most public support as he made a powerful pitch that he represented change from the two old parties. In a confident performance, he told the audience in Manchester: “Do not let anyone tell you that the only choice is the old politics. We can do something new, something different this time.”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/apr/15/leaders-debate-nick-clegg-tv

Gordon Brown and David Cameron have clashed over spending cuts, tax and political reform in the UK’s first prime ministerial TV debate.
The Labour leader went on the attack against Mr Cameron during the historic 90 minute encounter accusing him of “airbrushing” planned spending cuts.

The Tory leader accused Mr Brown of trying to “frighten” voters.
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said neither of them were being “straight” about the scale of cuts needed.

BBC Political Editor Nick Robinson said the biggest impact of the contest will be the insertion of Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats into the nation’s consciousness but nothing the other leaders said had fundamentally altered the general election debate.

The abiding memory of the contest could be “the other leaders saying ‘I agree with Nick,” he added.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/8621119.stm

The rose-tinted glasses collectively donned when Barack Obama entered the White House have been removed. But, like Lyndon Johnson before him, don’t be too quick to write off a president as disappointing, writes Lisa Jardine.

BBC News – Obamas honeymoon is over, now to work at the marriage

President Barack Obama has said Wall Street must repay $117bn (£72bn) to taxpayers and criticised banks for “massive profits and obscene bonuses”.

The tax is to recoup money US taxpayers are expected to lose from bailing out the banks during the financial crisis.

“My commitment is to recover every single dime the American people are owed,” the president said.

BBC News – Obama outlines $117bn bank levy

Barack Obama sets out US banking repayment scheme

Nice new image of the first family from Annie Leibovitz

The veteran US Senator, youngest child and bastion of the Kennedy Clan, succumbed to a brain tumor today.

The end of an era, of a dynasty that has fascinated America and the wider world the passing of a man though flawed, passed liberal legislation that effected every man, woman and child in the country he loved and dedicated his life to.

A fantastic piece of political theater from Hague:

After his inauguration on January 20 Barack Obama’s administration had to start work on the change his election campaign had promised.

From closing Guantanamo Bay to breaking in the new First Puppy, BBC News presents a whistle-stop tour of the president’s first 100 days in office.

Video

BBC In-depth