The Bealsburg Address (The Art Of The Live Debate)

In 1863, Abraham Lincoln wrote and delivered what was to become one of the most revered speeches of all time.  In the aftermath of Civil war and the division of the Northern and Southern states in both ideological conflict and cultural contast; Lincoln made a speech on behalf of every American. Whilst researching the speech (I am currently examining American presidential speeches), I figured out where the problems inside our own political system stem from. The thing is, whilst realising this, I also realised why I currently favour modern American politics to those of our own. British politics are steeped in tradition, in convention and in elitism; and I don't think it is at all indicative of the changing environment in global politics - we need change before our government collapses and combusts from within - we need to adapt and modernise quickly.

We are now more open than ever before, we are not tolerant of political coverups and the Machiavellian back stabbing and the dominance of the current government over media and news; the new media has afforded us such freedoms of information. The British people are choosing a different type of political understanding and practise. It is time for the British people to embrace a new kind of politics, one of which recent events have encouraged us to develop. Now we must concentrate on the heart of the matter, the very bane of politics itself - what do we want for our country and its people? This is real twenty-first century politics. Mistrust and skepticism surrounds our M.P's, as a rising tide of discontent engulfs the public; caught between the ever impending consequences of the recession and lack of faith in not only the people, but the very system behind our method of government. People vote for dangerous parties in order to prove that they still hold the power of the electorate - yet in doing so, they further the efforts of those our society frowns upon. These are the holders of misplaced and radical views - those that look to dismantle and deconstruct our society, a society that our troops enter warzones and arenas of tyranny and oppression to maintain and defend. Voting for these parties is not the answer, voting for these parties does not endorse diversity or change, rather, it inhibits it.

For the first time in these British politics, our politicians will stand the test that their American counterparts have traversed for years. The power of the televised debate will unhinge those who lack strong morals, who are unsure of what they stand for. Of course, politicians debate in the house of Commons almost every day but this is not the same. Restricted by outdated and over regimented implementations and regulations - the bigger issue is never discussed; as Mr. Speaker oversees the content of the debate - and holds the tongues of those who seek to challenge tradition. Now, through the freedom of television provided by an independent network, we can finally confront the real issues. The concerns that both unite and divide society; and previously stood unchallenged in debate will now be freely articulated as points of great interest by politicians who aim to preach their beliefs and abilities to the public rather than expect their vote through necessity - the dominance of the major parties.

Let us not forget who the most important party is. We, the voters are the most important party in politics. We affect the vote, it is our concerns that become those of the politician and in turn, the prerogative will always be ours to choose who we feel will be the best representative to our own individual concerns. The televised debates may well shake off the recent stigma associated with British politics due to the expenses scandal, yet the real questions will remain, who will be the best performers, who will have the greatest ability to present the public with what they need to hear, and finally, who will deliver what they promised? It is one thing to make a written statement, but the words spoken infront of opposition candidates can not be easily repealed. Hopefully, opposing candidates will probe and seek to understand the feasible ways in which their opponents claims can be made realities and future enacted policies - if these fall to major scrutiny, the public will decide based upon that.