Cormac’s blog

My favourite moments from the UK election, 2010. A fascinating election, in which no party got a majority, resulting in five days of negotiating as to which parties would form the government. Election night itself was only the beginning of the drama - the following days were gripping stuff. And with several moments of comedy gold - including these three nuggets…

Boris Johnson’s predominantly conservative sausage. From the day after the votes had been counted. Paxman and Dimbleby provide comic support.

“Sack Kay Burley”: the interview that sparked the slogan. Earlier on that day, Burley had been particularly belligerent with a spokesman for the protesters who were demanding that Nick Clegg remain true to his campaign pledge of electoral reform. One of the protesters subsequently took the opportunity to voice his opinion of Burley on live TV (note early cut to break at the end).

Again from Sky News, Adam Boulton v Alastair Campbell. Worth watching in full - Boulton starts with his polemic at 1:45, and explodes after 4:30; it ends on pure farce. Remember, this was the man (Boulton) who chaired the second leaders’ debate on Sky - so presumably has the respect and trust of a large portion of the UK electorate. Sky becomes Fox, Boulton becomes Tim O’Reilly. And the Sky anchorman exclaims during Boulton’s tirade that Campbell is being provocative. Shocking, and shameful.

And some memorable twitter hashtags… (Twitter was a total Lib Dem bubble in the run up to and aftermath of the election.)

#dontdoitnick: urging Nick Clegg not to enter a government with the Conservatives (which he ended up doing)
#condemnation: the resulting coalition between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.
#letdimblebysleep: Campaign to allow David Dimbleby get some sleep after his marathon, and seemingly non-stop, election broadcasting.

And, of course, the campaigns to sack Kay Burley and Adam Boulton.

Hmm, I’ve probably missed a load of hashtags, and other comedy gold moments - suggestions welcome!