Facile debates

Watching the election debate, in which Nick Clegg, David Cameron and Gordon Brown strutted their stuff, made me shiver and reminded me of the saying, "whoever controls the media controls the world".

Politicians from earlier times were willing and able to cope with applause, heckling and awkward questions, so the most worrying feature of the programme was the subservient response to the ruling that there be no clapping nor interjection, with the masses (on this occasion the audience) now seemingly only too willing to fall in line and be manipulated.

It should be everyone's duty to vote, but, as a person who has always voted in the past, I am increasingly tempted by the idea of not voting for anyone, for the very simple reason that by voting, I would have no wish to be seen encouraging any of them.

NEIL McKINNON

Tulchan Garden

Glenalmond

The much hyped TV debate merely reinforces the original scepticism about Americanising or "Foxifying" our politics. The media have happily pounced on the teeniest aspects of the debate and inflated them to absurd degrees.

No wonder there were apprehensions preceding permission to televise live in the House of Commons. Much good all of it has done.

It wasn't the TV cameras or analysts who exposed the expenses scandal. It was a plain "staid old newspaper".

The very facileness that has been warned about since decades back is everywhere evident, and it is alas an ever-present side-effect of chasing TV programme ratings.

Maybe Nick Clegg is the first X-Factor politician. If so, we should fear what might follow.

IAN JOHNSTONE

Forman Drive

Peterhead

The most worrying feature of the first televised election debate is the revelation that, according to much of the subsequent feedback, presentation and performance by the main UK party leaders appear to carry more weight than substance.

No doubt the electorate will eventually get the government it deserves.

RON SUTHERLAND

Millwell Park

Innerleithen