I stole a few words with the writer of The Thick of It, Alan Partridge and Time Trumpet in the ITV press centre just before the first live TV debate between the leaders of the three main political parties. It was a big day for democracy and an even bigger day for comedy.
Why do you think that we’ve finally got to the stage where Brown has given in and we can have these debates?
When people are in the lead they never agree to a debate but I think he thought he had nothing to lose. It was one of those strange situations where he was so far behind that he thought it might be worth a gamble. He might regret it. The great thing is that once that decision is made you can’t unmake it. Once the debates have started, it will be very difficult in four or five years time to come back from that.
Who do you think has got the potential to be the funniest? Who will get the most laughs?
Well, according to the rules, I’m not sure if the audience is allowed to laugh. Who is funniest? I don’t think Cameron’s very good at jokes. I think people will be surprised if Brown comes out with jokes. That's probably his secret weapon. One joke.
Are you here picking up ideas for the next series of The Thick of It?
I’m here to witness the mechanics of how it all works. I’m not so much here for the debates but for the aftermath in 90 minutes time when [Peter Mandelson, George Osborne and Danny Alexander – senior cabinet and shadow cabinet representatives of the three parties –] swoop on all the journalists and claim that their guy won. It’s spin alley. This has never happened before so no one quite knows how to do it. The rules are being formulated as we speak.
Who do you think will come out best from tonight’s debate?
It could well be Nick Clegg, simply because not many people know anything about him. As long as he doesn’t make an arse of himself, just by dint of being human and still standing at the end, that might impress people.
Spookily, most of his predictions played out. Perhaps that just shows how scripted these little debates are or how wonderfully perceptive Armando Iannucci is. I’m so looking forward to seeing Malcolm Tucker spin his way out of a terrible debate result. Ollie and Glenn should prepare for a verbal pummeling.
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