toryleadership

Question Time poll

This poll has now closed.  The results were:

• David Cameron easily won - 12%
• David Cameron just won - 16%
• No winner - 12%
• David Davis just won - 23%
• David Davis easily won - 31%
• I didn't watch it - 4%
• I don't know - 1%.

643 votes were recorded.

Question 8: in today's Britain do you think drug-taking is part of an ordinary university experience?

DC looks REALLY nervous as he hears Dimbleby repeat the question to DD.

DD: I've seen three children through their teenage years and I know the fears of parents worrying about drugs; My policy views on drugs are on the record; This contest must be decided on policy - not media witchunts. 

DD (in response to Dimbleby prodding on policy positions): I'm not going to say anymore.  My policy views are already clear and on the record.  [Editor: They're tough including anti cannabis].

DC: We don't want machines going into politics - politics needs real people; We need better drugs education and more treatment programmes; On Home Affairs Cttee I supported downgrading of ectasy and still do.

DD: All drugs destroy lives.  I would not downgrade any drugs.

Member of audience criticises DC for "waffling" and DC responds: British people don't want policy conclusions now.

DD: You have been compared to Tony Blair; After three terms of Blairite failure; This is absolutely the worst time to imitate Tony Blair; People don't want big words - they want to know what exactly we'll do.

DC: I have, in education policy, set out clear policies but we must not set out other policies that will make us look ridiculous in five years' time.

Editor's note: Clear win for DD.  If only DD had spent more time exposing Cameron on drugs POLICY throughout this contest.

Question 7: Would you amend/ rescind hunting ban?

DC: I would give House of Commons a free vote in Government time.

DD: Yes so would I but with a Tory majority I would be confident that rural England would win back its civil liberties.

Question 6: Given average Tory member's age is over 65 how would you win younger voters' support?

DD: We're losing votes all across the population - not least women's voters; The reason is the same; People need to know that we're not only 'good for individuals' as a party - we're also good for their neighbours; We need to show that we will have policies for bottom 25% of society; Conservatives need to pass the "decency test" and then support will return to us: Conservative Party is full of decent people - who run Oxfam, Save the Children branches etc.

DC: Agree with DD but we must also be more positive; We must talk about the people who live on less than $1 a day as well as the problems of Gibraltar; We must abandon Punch & Judy style of politics; We must talk about climate change issues in order to appeal to young people.

DC (responding to question): Yes, young people also worry about crime and house prices as well as big idealistic issues.

DD (responding to question on spin): Tony Blair is only PM to have sacked two ministers twice; I helped secured David Blunkett's previous departure from office; I also helped get rid of Beverley Hughes for the immigration shambles; Low voter turnout reflects Tony Blair's style of politics; Labour have allowed political appointees to order civil servants; Conservatives never put PR machine at top of government's tree; It has made lying a political weapon.

Question 5: What will the candidates do to honour family and change tax system to help marriage?

(Question wins applause)

DD: Welfare and tax system must help family and marriage; Unstable families produce crime and unemployment; Priority for tax cuts must be welfare policies that will help children to prosper; Detail needs to be decided - stable couples as well as married couples could be helped.

DC: Family is bedrock of society; It's not about preaching to people; It's about encouraging stability; All evidence shows marriage is a stable institution; It deserves to be recognised; Tax policy isn't only instrument; We have to look at CSA too, for example; I support Civil Partnerships; I also support childcare for working mothers.

Editor's opinion: DC does slightly better by noting policies that will benefit all families.

Question 4: Does it make sense to set out tax policy four years before an election?

DC: I think not; It's better to set out a clear direction; We must share proceeds of growth between tax relief and spending; Tax cuts are not for the rich but for the benefit of the economy; We need public spending investment in infrastructure - also for economy; This 'sharing' promise is different from Gordon Brown - he doesn't believe in sharing anything!

DD: Institute for Fiscal Studies said your (DC's) 'sharing' formulation doesn't mean much; Tax burden is highest for 25 years; Growth has halved as a result; We must bring our taxes down to reinvigorate the economy; Tax cuts increase economic growth and can boost revenues; Last election's Tory tax cut promises came very late in electoral cycle; I'm going to be arguing for tax cuts for every day between now and election and that way we can win the argument.

DC: Will DD's tax cuts still stand if economy is declining by time of next election (because of Gordon Brown's bad policies)?; We need to be promoting a broader economic policy - not just tax cuts.

DC: My first tax cutting priority is relief of business taxation.

DD: Size of the 'proceeds of growth' will depend upon speed of growth; Ireland has shown that early tax cuts can increase that growth rate; Tories must deliver that.

Editor's opinion: Clear win for DD because of emphasis on tax relief producing economic growth.

Question 3: (How) Will you take powers back from Europe?

DD: We signed up to join Common Market - not United States of Europe (big clap); We must bring back social chapter and fishing policy; My policy is to give every European country the option to bring back powers.

DC: We must bring back social and employment powers; We don't want to belong to a country called Europe; The competitiveness of Europe must be number one priority.

DC responding to DD's commitment to double referendum: We must spend more time thinking policies through; People haven't always thought our policies are credible; [DC refused to say that he was specifically saying DD's Europe policy was ill-thought out].

DD: I was Europe Minister; I had a reputation for being Monsieur Non; My policy is thought out; It hasn't been produced on a back of an envelope.

DC: Mrs T focused relentlessly on rebate and won by being single-minded; We must do the same on economic competitiveness concerns and we can win on that.

Jibe of evening so far from nervous young man in audience - 'You couldn't run a bath, Mr Cameron'.

Interim Editor's Note: DC looking a little nervous; DD looking very positive.

Question 2: Is 90 days too long to be held without trial?

DC: Yes.  90 days is a misjudgment.   Internment in N Ireland was a recruiting sergeant for terrorists.  90 days could be, too.  Police may need more time but 90 days is much too much.

DD: As soon as 7/7 happened I chose to be constructive - not choosing opposition for its sake;  But putting people away for 90 days is equivalent to a six month sentence; If someone was released after that time they could end up hating Britain; 90 days is far, far too long.

Question 1: Is youth or experience most important?

DD: Experience is incredibly important; my challenger is very talented; I have a lot of experience; I've been in business; I've been in government; I've taken on David Blunkett; I am resilient enough to face the onslaught that Labour will unleash on whoever wins this leadership contest (the minute the winner is declared).

DC: I hope that whoever wins this contest this kind of debate should be only the first of its kind; The next one should be with the Leader of Labour ahead of the next election [producing first big clap of evening]; I may not have much experience but I have the right vision for the country; I can take tough decisions - as I did in war on Iraq.

DC (asked about business experience): I worked in Carlton - and marketed it across the world.  I also worked behind-the-scenes in government.  More important than experience is vision for Britain.

DD (would you ask Ken Clarke to be in your shadow cabinet?): Yes.  And William Hague too (produced DD's first big clap).  I want to form Tory shadow cabinet of all talents.  Paid big tribute to IDS too for his work on social justice.

DC: Will serve DD if unsuccessful; Have not offered anyone any jobs.