Farage wins clear victory over Clegg in EU membership debate

[dutchman]

Nigel Farage emerged from the first of two debates with Nick Clegg over Britain’s membership of the EU on Wednesday night with a clear victory, according to a snap poll.



The UK Independence party leader was judged by 57 per cent of viewers to have won the confrontation, compared with just 36 per cent who thought the head of the Liberal Democrats had emerged victorious – although a majority thought Britain should remain within the EU.

The two leaders clashed on a range of subjects, including immigration, crime and employment.

Speaking first in the clash, Mr Clegg framed the European debate in terms of employment, stating: “It’s about you, it’s about your job.”

“If we were simply to pull up our drawbridge, that would destroy jobs for people in this country,” he said. “I want this country to be Great Britain, not Little England. . . If you believe we are better off in, then on May 22 at the European elections I hope you will give us your support.”

The Lib Dem leader claimed that 3m jobs were linked to Britain’s membership of the EU, saying he did not want to put any of those at risk by leaving, adding that to do so would be unpatriotic.

Mr Farage replied: “We have a total open door, and that is the issue I think that has woken many people up. . . We must get our country back.”

Focusing primarily on the impact of EU membership on immigration, the Ukip leader claimed that “opening our borders to 485m people from all across Europe” would see British workers losing out on jobs and push down wages. He told the audience in London that an “oversupply” of cheap labour meant “you’ve seen your wages go down as the cost of living as gone up”.

But he was unable to explain key parts of his argument, such as his claim that 75 per cent of British laws are made in Brussels: “That is our calculation,” he explained.

Both sides tried to claim victory in the immediate aftermath. Lib Dem advisers insisted that with the more difficult case to make, Mr Clegg’s rating of 36 per cent marked success.

Danny Alexander, the Lib Dem Treasury chief secretary, said: “The latest polls have us at 10 per cent, but tonight 36 per cent said they thought Nick won the debate. That’s not a bad starting point for us.”

But Ukip were also delighted at their leader’s performance. One adviser to Mr Farage said: “What we achieved was for Ukip to take the leadership of the great eurosceptic majority. We are the ones that turned up and fought your corner.”

[rebbonk]

Was there ever a doubt that he'd wipe the floor with stupid boy Clegg?

Remember, Clegg has never been anywhere, never seen anything, never done anything, but thinks he has the answers!

[dutchman]

Clegg at least did take part in the debate whereas Cameron and Miliband were afraid to.

[rebbonk]

Cameron and Miliband were afraid to.

Absolutely. Neither of these two muppets are fit to hold office.