In the first Prime Ministers’ debate, the candidates were asked to answer a question on immigration:

Audience Questioner: Good evening. What key elements for a fair, workable immigration policy need to be put in place to actually make it work effectively?
Gordon Brown : You know, I’ve heard the concerns around the country. I’ve been listening to people. I know people feel there are pressures because of immigration. That’s why we want to control and manage immigration.

No wonder he bombed in the post-debate polls – voters already know not to believe a word they hear from Jonah’s lips…

UPDATE FLASHBACK II: On the 31st March, Brown said: “The question of who comes to Britain, and what they have to do to earn that privilege, is something that should be the subject of open and responsible debate. But how we conduct this debate is as important as the debate itself.”

On the Jeremy Vine show, Brown stressed that he wanted to discuss the issue with Mrs Duffy but, despite wanting an “open and reasonable debate,” couldn’t: “It was the view that she expressed that I was worried about but couldn’t respond to.” Couldn’t? Or didn’t want to?