Televised debates
After a while of talks and speculation, a deal has finally been brokered between the three major parties and three broadcasting companies. The three party leaders will battle it out over a series of three broadcasts. The first is to be on ITV, hosted by Alastair Stewart, the second on Sky, hosted by Adam Boulton and the third and final debte will be on BBC, hosted by David Dimbleby.
Now clearly this is a golden chance to re-present politics to the increasingly bitter and disalusioned public. This being clearly something new to the British public will have I’m guessing, at least 10 million watching (well for the first and third debates anyway). There will also hopefully be the SNP and Plaid Cymru participating in the respective regional debates of Scotland and Wales with one also being held in Northeren Ireland.
I personally hope, that unlike in PMQs, where obviously the questions are directed at the PM, the British public will question Cameron on his policies (if he has enough for an hour and a half debate, which I sincerly doubt) and show that the Tories haven’t changed and that a change of logo and slogon doesn’t mean a change of mindset.
Max
Birmingham University Labour Students
John Ritchie
Brigidjones
daveborland
dorameredith
bensemens
chrisblewitt
oliverjackson
maxattacks
joshualt
suzannahrobinson
kohalloran
jakelambertonline
smurphy2010
labourluke
bulsonline
Guardian Unlimited
Bah – I was gonna blog on this, you beat me to it.
I’m glad we managed to secure more debates that just the one the Tories favoured. If Brown’s on form as he was during conference and in more recent PMQs he can wipe the floor with the other chaps. As you say, if its a proper debate, chances are young Dave will run out of steam before we’re half through – after 4 1/2 years he has nothing left to say.
My only fears are that it will too much of a yank-style debate – all soundbites, rhetoric, and time limits. Stock answers to stock questions, insufficient cross-examination and a preference for soundbite. Also I’m hoping the questions will come via the host rather than direct from audience members – If BBCQT has shown us anything its the loathsome self-importance and self-righteousness the proles have when given a chance to directly confront their leaders.
One final concern – it does seem rather unfair on the Greens. I have no personal sympathy for this jumped-up pressure group, but doesn’t a three-way debate format (regional Nats aside) further confirm and entrench the idea that there are only the two and a half parties to choose from?
Why are the American debates getting such a bad press? Some of the exchanges could be quite heated. The last thing we need is a Paxman-like host. Humphreys and Paxman are easy interviewers who simply get politicians to close up.