The UK’s X-factor elections
Have the British elections become a popularity contest?
Celebrities, lights and fancy graphics are not normally associated with the UK elections, but the 2010 election is different.
For the first time in the country’s history the candidates for prime minister debated one another on live television.
Whether it was the novelty of the format or actual interest in the issues themselves, the 2010 UK elections have taken on an exciting edge causing some analysts to compare them to the glitzy pop-star competition show The X factor.
Following the first debate, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, whose party was in third place, saw his poll numbers shoot up, launching a sort of “Cleggmania”.
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Celebrities are also getting in the mix by endorsing and appearing with their favourite candidates.
The changes are causing many political watchers to wonder whether or not the tradition of British politics, where a voter based their choice on party policy, may lose out to the celeb factor.
On Wednesday’s Riz Khan show we ask: Have the British elections become a popularity contest?
Joining the show from London will be Iain Dale and Mark Seddon, two prominent British political bloggers.
This episode of the Riz Khan show aired from Wednesday, May 5, 2010.