Deputy Dawgs: Simon Mayo's Speed Dating Event

Anyone who is still struggling to decide how to vote could do worse than listen to Simon Mayo's Speed Dating Event from yesterday. The preamble starts at 5 minutes in. The action starts at 8:40 minutes in. Each candidate gets 6:30 on their "date". Simon is joined by Miss Wigan Vicky Goulding, a Green sympathizer and Ged Sweeney, an ex-Member.

The approximate start times are: Jon Cruddas 8:40; Hazel Blears 15:50; (Travel News) Peter Hain 24:20; (News) Alan Johnson 35:10; Hilary Benn 42:40; (Travel) Harriet Harman 51:10.

A bit of a round up after news and sport. (about 70:30)

Ged Sweeney: puts the candidates in two batches: No to Blears Hain Johnson. Winner for him Hilary Benn. Articulate and likeable. Wonders how Hain was ever seen as the favourite.

Miss Wigan - 6. Hilary, a bit bland 5. Alan, also quite bland 4. Hazel passion, 3. Peter?, 2. Honest Jon, 1. Modern Harriet her favourite and Vicky liked being asked a question back.

Listener Dr Walter: Cruddas - "streetsmart and surprisingly articulate"; Blears "autocue performance, passionate"; Hain "uninspiring"; Johnson "sucking up expert"; Benn "on the wireless sounds like Tony"; Harman "reassuring but too many soundbites". His choice Cruddas or Benn.