Facebook live streams ‘Ask the Chancellors’ pre-election debate
Facebook has attempted to demonstrate the power of social media to shape political discourse ahead of the UK general election on 7 may by streaming a live debate between Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne and Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls.
The face-off saw both political heavyweights go head-to-head within the offices of Facebook’s London HQ in front of a specially invited audience of entrepreneurs and business leaders.
Broadcast live by Sky News, whose political editor Faisal Islam, hosted proceedings the event was also an opportunity to demonstrate how social media can work hand in glove with traditional media by broadening out discussion with the #AskTheChancellors hashtag.
This saw the pair outline their economic plans for the country in the event that either should gain power with the main debating points centring on Europe, banking reform, housing and a proposed mansion tax.