Election Debates’ has scored the First Irish Leaders’ Debate of the 2011 election 2-0 to Micheal Martin.
The debate between Eamon Gilmore (Labour) and Micheal Martin (Fianna Fail) was moderated by Vincent Browne of TV3 and saw both leaders clash over a range of issues including the economy, the deficit, the bank guarantee, the EU loan, health, education, public sector reform and parliamentary reform.
Enda Kenny (Fine Gael) did not attend the debate.
Notwithstanding his impressive performance, Mr Martin may be facing the same problem that former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown confronted during the UK debates – after so long in government, is anyone still listening?
The public may have made up their mind. Indeed this may be Mr Martin’s thinking too, and may explain his combative nature. He debated like he had nothing to lose, and from a debating point at least, it worked.
Election Debates’ Colm Flynn and Ray D’Cruz gave the debate to Martin.
Flynn, former Chair of the World Universities Debating Council, concluded his analysis “…on balance after reviewing this debate in both style and substance I have to say Martin is the clear winner. He was better on the facts and figures. He seemed to have a better understanding of the plight of ordinary people. And he was stylistically aggressive throughout.”
D’Cruz, author of the World Universities Debating Rules, asked and answered a question that many must be asking this morning, “How then did Mr Martin win on the economy given that Fianna Fail has been in power for 14 years and presided over one of the greatest boom and bust cycles in modern times? In short: he attacked, he negated and his style suited the structure of the debate.”
To read their scores and analysis in full, scroll down or click on the links below.
Colm Flynn – Winner – Martin – read more
Ray D’Cruz – Winner – Martin – read more
If you missed the debate, you can watch it here.
Media Contact: colm_flynn@hotmail.com (Ireland)
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