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Leaders’ TV debates: a conservative format that preserves the status quo Leaders’ TV debates: a conservative format that preserves the status quo
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Trying to construct a format for the TV election debates as the landscape of politics, and indeed broadcasting, is constantly changing is no easy matter. The necessary first step was to get an agreement between the broadcasters on a proposal to put to the politicians.Trying to construct a format for the TV election debates as the landscape of politics, and indeed broadcasting, is constantly changing is no easy matter. The necessary first step was to get an agreement between the broadcasters on a proposal to put to the politicians.
The proposed Christmas Tree format of a debate between Ukip, Labour, Conservative and the Liberal Democrats followed by a debate between Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrats culminating in a head-to-head debate between the two potential prime ministers Ed Miliband and David Cameron has a creative logic but an array of flaws. The proposed Christmas Tree format of a debate between Ukip, Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats followed by a debate between Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats culminating in a head-to-head debate between the two potential prime ministers, Ed Miliband and David Cameron, has a creative logic but an array of flaws.
The broadcasters rightly argue it is an achievement in itself to secure an agreement between competing organisations. Channel 4, excluded in 2010, has been found a role, and any proposal that has Kay Burley sharing the stage with Jeremy Paxman shows the larger ego, occasionally found nestling in TV, can be massaged in the wider national interest. A raised Paxman eyebrow as Burley hits full flow would be worth the price of admission.The broadcasters rightly argue it is an achievement in itself to secure an agreement between competing organisations. Channel 4, excluded in 2010, has been found a role, and any proposal that has Kay Burley sharing the stage with Jeremy Paxman shows the larger ego, occasionally found nestling in TV, can be massaged in the wider national interest. A raised Paxman eyebrow as Burley hits full flow would be worth the price of admission.
But there are more serious problems. The proposal excludes the Green party as well as the nationalist parties in Wales and Scotland. While Wales and Scotland may have their separate broadcast media, exclusion from the main TV debates, when Ukip is largely an English phenomenon, needs some explaining. The main argument, at least in 2010, would have been that the debate is between leaders that have a realistic prospect of being prime minister.But there are more serious problems. The proposal excludes the Green party as well as the nationalist parties in Wales and Scotland. While Wales and Scotland may have their separate broadcast media, exclusion from the main TV debates, when Ukip is largely an English phenomenon, needs some explaining. The main argument, at least in 2010, would have been that the debate is between leaders that have a realistic prospect of being prime minister.
The Greens have had Caroline Lucas elected as an MP in her own right and not as a transferring incumbent, and the party polled very well in the European elections. The suggestion that Ukip will win five or more parliament seats is largely speculation, based on a post-byelection bubble that could burst overnight. The Greens, at times, have been polling similar figures to the Liberal Democrats.The Greens have had Caroline Lucas elected as an MP in her own right and not as a transferring incumbent, and the party polled very well in the European elections. The suggestion that Ukip will win five or more parliament seats is largely speculation, based on a post-byelection bubble that could burst overnight. The Greens, at times, have been polling similar figures to the Liberal Democrats.
But TV debate formats are generally unresponsive to change. In the London mayoral elections it was impossible for independent candidates to secure equal billing. It is an essentially conservative format that preserves the status quo. The law also over-hangs questions of legitimacy. The bigger question is whether all the main parties want to have the debates, and will look for an excuse, whether it be timing or format, to say no.But TV debate formats are generally unresponsive to change. In the London mayoral elections it was impossible for independent candidates to secure equal billing. It is an essentially conservative format that preserves the status quo. The law also over-hangs questions of legitimacy. The bigger question is whether all the main parties want to have the debates, and will look for an excuse, whether it be timing or format, to say no.
There is a perfectly respectable argument promulgated by Cameron that the TV debates sucked the life out of the 2010 election campaign. Partly due to their novelty, they became the centrepiece of the campaign, rather than debate about the issues, such as tackling the deficit. So 2010 was largely a build-up to the first debate, the first debate itself, the postmortem of the debate and so on.There is a perfectly respectable argument promulgated by Cameron that the TV debates sucked the life out of the 2010 election campaign. Partly due to their novelty, they became the centrepiece of the campaign, rather than debate about the issues, such as tackling the deficit. So 2010 was largely a build-up to the first debate, the first debate itself, the postmortem of the debate and so on.
Cameron’s decision to participate in 2010 has reached mythical status in some Tory circles, allowing the fresh-faced upstart Nick Clegg to enrapture those previously drawn to Tory modernisation.Cameron’s decision to participate in 2010 has reached mythical status in some Tory circles, allowing the fresh-faced upstart Nick Clegg to enrapture those previously drawn to Tory modernisation.
With the bulk of the national press certain to wage war against Miliband, the lure of further TV debates is limited. Cameron had proposed two debates – one well before the election and one during the campaign. He would prefer a head-to-head challenge with Miliband.With the bulk of the national press certain to wage war against Miliband, the lure of further TV debates is limited. Cameron had proposed two debates – one well before the election and one during the campaign. He would prefer a head-to-head challenge with Miliband.
Some Tories point out that social media, including YouTube, has a bigger reach than some of the broadcasters and may be a better format for election debates. The Guardian, the Telegraph and YouTube have put forward just such a proposal, arguing this would be a more interactive medium and would also reflect the way the 18-40-year-olds consume their news.Some Tories point out that social media, including YouTube, has a bigger reach than some of the broadcasters and may be a better format for election debates. The Guardian, the Telegraph and YouTube have put forward just such a proposal, arguing this would be a more interactive medium and would also reflect the way the 18-40-year-olds consume their news.
The broadcasters, acting as gatekeepers, have in their self-interest excluded the idea. The broadcasters may find their cartel challenged, and if the Conservatives make an online format a condition of participation, the online debate may yet happen. Douglas Carswell, the new Ukip MP, has ridiculed the Tories for being based on the defunct HMV model of politics, rather than Spotify. Tory support for an online debate would disprove this thesis. The broadcasters, acting as gatekeepers, have in their self-interest excluded the idea. They may find their cartel challenged, and if the Conservatives make an online format a condition of participation, the online debate may yet happen. Douglas Carswell, the new Ukip MP, has ridiculed the Tories for being based on the defunct HMV model of politics rather than Spotify. Tory support for an online debate would disprove this thesis.
The Liberal Democrats are also put out. Although they would appear in two of the three debates, they said in a statement they would prefer to retain the 2010 format of three debates involving the three main parties broadly across three weeks. “As a party of government, we do not accept the proposal that the Liberal Democrats should be prevented from defending our record in one of the TV debates,” the party said.The Liberal Democrats are also put out. Although they would appear in two of the three debates, they said in a statement they would prefer to retain the 2010 format of three debates involving the three main parties broadly across three weeks. “As a party of government, we do not accept the proposal that the Liberal Democrats should be prevented from defending our record in one of the TV debates,” the party said.
Inside Labour, there is confidence that Miliband will perform strongly. By one argument, general expectations are so low that it would be hard for him to disappoint.Inside Labour, there is confidence that Miliband will perform strongly. By one argument, general expectations are so low that it would be hard for him to disappoint.
The internal debate about whether to accept Ukip has been intense, with some claiming a strong Nigel Farage showing only helps Labour.The internal debate about whether to accept Ukip has been intense, with some claiming a strong Nigel Farage showing only helps Labour.
Farage, a strong performer against Clegg in the European election debates, gave a semi-conditional acceptance. The proposal is better than it could have been. It does at least recognise the increasing popularity of Ukip. “If the political landscape continues to change, we would expect and ask for inclusion in a second debate,” he said.Farage, a strong performer against Clegg in the European election debates, gave a semi-conditional acceptance. The proposal is better than it could have been. It does at least recognise the increasing popularity of Ukip. “If the political landscape continues to change, we would expect and ask for inclusion in a second debate,” he said.
One possibly under-discussed possibility is that broadcasters such as LBC will set up debates irrespective of national agreements. If they can generate enough interest, the concept of three national debates followed by spin rooms and instant polling will seem outmoded.One possibly under-discussed possibility is that broadcasters such as LBC will set up debates irrespective of national agreements. If they can generate enough interest, the concept of three national debates followed by spin rooms and instant polling will seem outmoded.
The final possibility is that it does not happen at all. The constellation of too many stars have to be aligned.The final possibility is that it does not happen at all. The constellation of too many stars have to be aligned.