Thoughts for 27th February 2008
Cameron suggesting US Presidential style debates is very interesting: It’s the first time the leader in the polls has done so. Encouraging! «
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Comment from Tim McLoughlin
12.42, 28/02/2008
Leaders of the Opposition have been calling for TV debates since the days of Neil Kinnock. The Govt always decline as they have everything to lose and nothing to gain from doing this. They get plenty of solus exposure without needing to get into a dogfight with the opposition.
I agree that it would be a great idea, but turkeys voting for Xmas…
The Indie’s Steve Richards sums it up well
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/steve-richards/steve-richards-a-televised-debate-between-party-leaders-would-be-a-disaster-for-democracy-463908.html
Comment from sjhoward (author of the post)
21.45, 28/02/2008
That’s not really true – John Major, when he was Prime Minister, desperately wanted a televised debate with Tony Blair, but Blair refused. It isn’t the government that has everything to lose, it’s the leader in the polls, for whom the debate can only be (potentially) damaging.
That’s why it’s so interesting that David Cameron, who is clearly ahead in the polls, is now calling for a televised debate.
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