And: the Conservatives hide their own manifesto away. The LibDems bungle theirs – which Prince Andrew wrecks anyway. Plus: election night line-ups.
Plus: We’ll never know the truth about the rebels’ motives. If you have fewer MPs, you must also have fewer Ministers. And: doesn’t Steve Baker have a fine head of hair?
Plus: Tories – too vague. UKIP – too specific. LibDems: what are they for? Why the polls could all be wrong. And: I win an award, and am baffled.
Take it all with a pinch of salt. Do your best and, cometh the hour, “treat those two imposters just the same”.
There is a real tension between producing entertainment for the politically engaged, and informative programming for the wider electorate.
Our verdict on yesterday evening’s debate – insofar as it mattered, which it didn’t much.
Paxman v the Prime Minister, Paxman v the Opposition Leader.
Plus: My Big Fat New Wedding. An invitation to Roger Bird. And: Happy New Year to you all. P.S: Here is my, er, prediction success rate for last year.
Plus: Lay off Farage. How the Lobby messed up over Newark. Paxman: my sorrow. And: runners and riders for Newsnight.
The BBC needs to review now who will cover the 2020 election in a way that interests young viewers. Neil, Marr and Paxman have a combined age of 185.