Televised Leaders Debates..
Discussion
allergictocheese said:
There is form for televised debates creating electoral mistakes. You only have to look back 5 years and read the reports on who became the golden boy during the last ones. Look how that turned out.
I imagine Cameron wants to avoid giving UKIP any more publicity than necessary and certainly doesn't want to go head to head with Farage on live TV, where he'll be bound by political correctness, accountability and party political sensitivities (none of which restrain Farage).
Last time a personable character appeared on the debates it shot the Liberals into the position as power brokers and I don't think Cameron wants a repeat of that.
I can't for the life of me understand why Cameron doesn't do a pre-election deal with UKIP, unless he feels that with them and the SNP hitting Labour also, both big beasts will be equally afflicted come election time.
just because the election result didn't turn out how you personally wanted doesn't mean that the tv debates were a 'mistake'I imagine Cameron wants to avoid giving UKIP any more publicity than necessary and certainly doesn't want to go head to head with Farage on live TV, where he'll be bound by political correctness, accountability and party political sensitivities (none of which restrain Farage).
Last time a personable character appeared on the debates it shot the Liberals into the position as power brokers and I don't think Cameron wants a repeat of that.
I can't for the life of me understand why Cameron doesn't do a pre-election deal with UKIP, unless he feels that with them and the SNP hitting Labour also, both big beasts will be equally afflicted come election time.
Halb said:
UKiPs are obviously a major party and deserve to be in the debates. The stats bear that up. I think the SNP probably should be allowed too, as another major player, and the stats really show that the Greens should be there.
So the old big three, UKiPs, Greens and SNP.
Ofcom would disagree with you that the SNP is a major player, and that the stats show that the Greens should be there.So the old big three, UKiPs, Greens and SNP.
Halb said:
So the old big three, UKiPs, Greens and SNP.
At which point the welsh and Irish would also want in. So then you have a choice of making it a very long broadcast or giving each very little time to speak.I propose a 'winner stays on' format, have 2 leaders a day starting with the smallest/random draw - whoever is judged to have won staying on until a final showdown with current PM.
Get the X-factor producers in too, to do some 'my nan died last week' type emotional back stories with each candidate as a lead in
Esseesse said:
Halb said:
UKiPs are obviously a major party and deserve to be in the debates. The stats bear that up. I think the SNP probably should be allowed too, as another major player, and the stats really show that the Greens should be there.
So the old big three, UKiPs, Greens and SNP.
Ofcom would disagree with you that the SNP is a major player, and that the stats show that the Greens should be there.So the old big three, UKiPs, Greens and SNP.
SNP's power comes from their MPs, and have less of a 'right' than the GReens.
Halb said:
Esseesse said:
Halb said:
UKiPs are obviously a major party and deserve to be in the debates. The stats bear that up. I think the SNP probably should be allowed too, as another major player, and the stats really show that the Greens should be there.
So the old big three, UKiPs, Greens and SNP.
Ofcom would disagree with you that the SNP is a major player, and that the stats show that the Greens should be there.So the old big three, UKiPs, Greens and SNP.
SNP's power comes from their MPs, and have less of a 'right' than the GReens.
Esseesse said:
The reality of this is that its very difficult to define where the line should be drawn. Also when you have too many in a debate it'll become meaningless. So how about include everyone and make it a televised debate tournament 1 on 1.
You forgot the my nan died bit (See my post from 3 minutes ago) 
Esseesse said:
Halb said:
Esseesse said:
Halb said:
UKiPs are obviously a major party and deserve to be in the debates. The stats bear that up. I think the SNP probably should be allowed too, as another major player, and the stats really show that the Greens should be there.
So the old big three, UKiPs, Greens and SNP.
Ofcom would disagree with you that the SNP is a major player, and that the stats show that the Greens should be there.So the old big three, UKiPs, Greens and SNP.
SNP's power comes from their MPs, and have less of a 'right' than the GReens.
Hold on lads...I've got a great idea...
Click here
rover 623gsi said:
yes, in the European Elections. I am not convinced that makes them a 'major' party.
They also did very well in the local elections, though wiki doesn't have the popular vote there.It seems clear that the vote percentage for them has gone up. They are getting to be a serious party. Though slightly (totally) eclipsed by the rapid ascension of UKiPs.
Maybe just have the two useless tossers Wallace and CMD sluging it out !!I guess milligland gurgling and plummy plum Cami talking through there arses,we can then switch off totally underwhelmed knowing exactly what we will get if we are stupid enough to vote for them..
Then we could have a debate for all the others ????
Then we could have a debate for all the others ????
After getting his wishes of the Greens and other minor parties involved resulting in broadcasters agreeing to a 7 way debate of questionable value. Tub of lard Cameron is taking the piss demanding more.
Guardian said:
PM says good progress has been made in debate negotiations but questions why Northern Ireland parties are missing out
..“I am delighted the broadcasters have gone away and thought again they have actually come up with rather more minor parties than I had in mind.
“But I am sure they have thought it all through and they know what they are doing, although I don’t quite see why Northern Ireland seems to be missing out. As far as I am concerned that is as important a part of our United Kingdom as Wales or Scotland. But we are making good progress and I am sure they [the broadcasters] know what they are doing.”
...The prime minister did not demand the inclusion of Northern Ireland’s two main parties, the DUP and Sinn Féin. But his remarks, which contrasted with Shapps’ upbeat response to the revised proposals, suggest Downing Street may be looking at new ways of delaying agreement. Tory sources have made clear in private that the prime minister would like either to kill off the debates or ensure that so many parties take part that they lose their impact and deprive the Ukip leader, Nigel Farage, of a high-profile platform.
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jan/26/david-cameron-northern-ireland-parties-tv-debates..“I am delighted the broadcasters have gone away and thought again they have actually come up with rather more minor parties than I had in mind.
“But I am sure they have thought it all through and they know what they are doing, although I don’t quite see why Northern Ireland seems to be missing out. As far as I am concerned that is as important a part of our United Kingdom as Wales or Scotland. But we are making good progress and I am sure they [the broadcasters] know what they are doing.”
...The prime minister did not demand the inclusion of Northern Ireland’s two main parties, the DUP and Sinn Féin. But his remarks, which contrasted with Shapps’ upbeat response to the revised proposals, suggest Downing Street may be looking at new ways of delaying agreement. Tory sources have made clear in private that the prime minister would like either to kill off the debates or ensure that so many parties take part that they lose their impact and deprive the Ukip leader, Nigel Farage, of a high-profile platform.
t without doubt, but well played Sir.Clearly concepts such s Honour, Courage and Accountability have no part to play in the process.
PMQs is all well and good with the prepared and rehearsed one-line bullying put downs of the special kid which Milliband has become. Heaven forbid that he would want to enter a duel of wits with spmeone who may be equally as equipped as himself.
Unfortunately Milliband's underdog routine requires a lethal injection and as for Cleggy - where is the Deputy PM?
Hiding from the big boys at school?
I do hope that he loses his deposit as well as his seat.
Edit for pants-poor typing
PMQs is all well and good with the prepared and rehearsed one-line bullying put downs of the special kid which Milliband has become. Heaven forbid that he would want to enter a duel of wits with spmeone who may be equally as equipped as himself.
Unfortunately Milliband's underdog routine requires a lethal injection and as for Cleggy - where is the Deputy PM?
Hiding from the big boys at school?
I do hope that he loses his deposit as well as his seat.
Edit for pants-poor typing
Edited by Skywalker on Monday 26th January 20:21
Yazar said:
After getting his wishes of the Greens and other minor parties involved resulting in broadcasters agreeing to a 7 way debate of questionable value. Tub of lard Cameron is taking the piss demanding more.
Are you saying that is not a legitimate question? Guardian said:
PM says good progress has been made in debate negotiations but questions why Northern Ireland parties are missing out
..“I am delighted the broadcasters have gone away and thought again they have actually come up with rather more minor parties than I had in mind.
“But I am sure they have thought it all through and they know what they are doing, although I don’t quite see why Northern Ireland seems to be missing out. As far as I am concerned that is as important a part of our United Kingdom as Wales or Scotland. But we are making good progress and I am sure they [the broadcasters] know what they are doing.”
...The prime minister did not demand the inclusion of Northern Ireland’s two main parties, the DUP and Sinn Féin. But his remarks, which contrasted with Shapps’ upbeat response to the revised proposals, suggest Downing Street may be looking at new ways of delaying agreement. Tory sources have made clear in private that the prime minister would like either to kill off the debates or ensure that so many parties take part that they lose their impact and deprive the Ukip leader, Nigel Farage, of a high-profile platform.
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jan/26/david-cameron-northern-ireland-parties-tv-debates..“I am delighted the broadcasters have gone away and thought again they have actually come up with rather more minor parties than I had in mind.
“But I am sure they have thought it all through and they know what they are doing, although I don’t quite see why Northern Ireland seems to be missing out. As far as I am concerned that is as important a part of our United Kingdom as Wales or Scotland. But we are making good progress and I am sure they [the broadcasters] know what they are doing.”
...The prime minister did not demand the inclusion of Northern Ireland’s two main parties, the DUP and Sinn Féin. But his remarks, which contrasted with Shapps’ upbeat response to the revised proposals, suggest Downing Street may be looking at new ways of delaying agreement. Tory sources have made clear in private that the prime minister would like either to kill off the debates or ensure that so many parties take part that they lose their impact and deprive the Ukip leader, Nigel Farage, of a high-profile platform.
Current state of Parliament:
Conservative 303
Labour 257
Liberal Democrat 56
Democratic Unionist 8
Scottish National 6
Sinn Fein 5
Independent 3
Plaid Cymru 3
Social Democratic & Labour Party 3
UK Independence Party 2
Alliance 1
Green 1
Respect 1
The broadcasters opened the door to the minnows. The public's interest is in hearing what price the minnows might extract in exchange for supporting a minority Govt or a coalition. Everything is on the table.
It's highly arguable that a debate isn't the right format to find that out, but, it seems, we are where we are with that, so why not the DUP and the SDLP?
(As Sinn Fein haven't said they would take their seats, that's one outfit that could legitimately be excluded).
It's a national debate so any party which isn't standing in say 70% of UK constituencies should not be allowed to partake. Having almost a dozen people take part in one debate is ridiculous.
And like 2010, BBC Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland etc will have their own tv debates so it's not as if the regional parties are not given a platform.
And like 2010, BBC Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland etc will have their own tv debates so it's not as if the regional parties are not given a platform.
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