TV debates: New format proposed but will Cameron come back?

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David Cameron is facing one of the biggest challenges of his political career – now that the TV companies have offered to include the Green Party (and others) in the televised election debates, is he man enough to take part?

Cameron scampered off like a startled rabbit when he realised he could use the Green Party’s exclusion as a reason not to participate, but now broadcasters have put forward new proposals which include the Greens, the SNP and Plaid Cymru.

The BBC and ITV would stage debates involving the Conservatives, Labour, Lib Dems, Greens, UKIP, SNP and Plaid, while Sky and Channel 4 will go ahead with their plan to host a head-to-head between Cameron and Ed Miliband – if Cameron has the guts for it.

However, he still has two possible escape routes – the Democrat Unionist Party will be writing to the BBC and other broadcasters to ask why it is not being included when it has more seats than the three parties that have now been included. Will he demand its inclusion as well?

And Cameron has said he is not happy with the dates being offered for the debates – April 2, 16 and 30 – saying they should take place before the official, ‘short’, campaign begins.

Who thinks he’ll chicken out again?

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10 Comments

  1. Damien Willey January 22, 2015 at 10:54 pm - Reply

    Ive a feeling we will be discussing an empty podium again soon…

  2. Robert Fillies January 22, 2015 at 11:04 pm - Reply

    I think the debates will be far more informative if Cameron isn’t there.

  3. Russ Clewlow January 22, 2015 at 11:17 pm - Reply

    There is a danger we get too many parties involved and nobody gets to speak properly. But I’m glad the Greens are there and there is a case to make for debates to be held in Scotland, Wales and Ireland where the SNP, Plaid Cymru and the DUP & Sinn Fein are involved, but not in these ones. No matter what Cameron will find some excuse not to be there as he know’s he will get hammered by all of them. When you’ve f*cked everyone over big style they will all be gunning for you.

  4. paulmac49 January 23, 2015 at 12:05 am - Reply

    I doubt Cameron will take part, however if he did it would be just like PMQs, without him answering any questions.

    • Mike Sivier January 23, 2015 at 12:51 am - Reply

      Perhaps – but the others would pile into him hard.

  5. thomassutcliffe January 23, 2015 at 7:56 am - Reply

    If the altered format is not enough for Cameron then the debates should happen without him – at least we get to hear what everyone else has to say. If he still baulks at participation under the suggested new format that constitutes a statement that he does not wish to be part of these debates.

  6. A-brightfuture January 23, 2015 at 10:00 am - Reply

    Cameron will say he will take part.
    However two days before the game show, a major crises will appear and Cameron will have to go to outer Mongolia to sort it out..

    Or he will have man flu.

    Who will take his place?
    The heat is on.

  7. Mr.Angry January 23, 2015 at 10:07 am - Reply

    I did hearsay he would not appear unless Bill & Ben and the flowerpot men would take part. He is showing his true colour and should swap ties with clegg as yellow would be more appropriate for him.

    I do get confused when they refer to his type as the “elite” as being some super human.

    The fact he was born rich which puts him above the rest of us financially and nothing more.

    However with that said as a human he lacks principal, moral decency and compassion for his fellow man and constantly lies, in my eyes that makes him lower than vermin.

    If this is the true meaning of Elite it should be removed from the dictionary.

  8. Steve Kind January 23, 2015 at 12:58 pm - Reply

    There is a case for EXCLUDING Cameron. The debate could be framed as being between those wishing to replace the Tories and since the Tories have (and use shamelessly) the Government propaganda machine at their disposal there is no need for the Prime Minister to be in the debates.

    Only joking really – but actually, a debate between opposition parties would probably be more informative without Cameron befouling the water.

    • Mike Sivier January 23, 2015 at 2:21 pm - Reply

      That would exclude the Liberal Democrats as well, then.

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