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David Cameron under growing pressure over TV debates David Cameron under growing pressure over TV debates
(less than a minute earlier)
The leaders of Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Ukip have written to David Cameron saying they will press ahead with television debates without him unless he agrees to take part.The leaders of Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Ukip have written to David Cameron saying they will press ahead with television debates without him unless he agrees to take part.
In separate but identical letters, Ed Miliband, Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage told the UK prime minister it was unacceptable for him to refuse to take part. They challenged the broadcasters to provide an empty chair to represent the Conservative leader if he continued to dodge the events.In separate but identical letters, Ed Miliband, Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage told the UK prime minister it was unacceptable for him to refuse to take part. They challenged the broadcasters to provide an empty chair to represent the Conservative leader if he continued to dodge the events.
Talks about the debates are continuing but Cameron is refusing to take part unless the Greens are included, because they are polling above the Lib Dems.Talks about the debates are continuing but Cameron is refusing to take part unless the Greens are included, because they are polling above the Lib Dems.
This has led the prime minister’s critics to say he is running scared of the election debates, which the broadcasters have proposed takes place in three sessions before the election. One would include Cameron against Miliband, another would add Clegg and a third would bring in Farage.This has led the prime minister’s critics to say he is running scared of the election debates, which the broadcasters have proposed takes place in three sessions before the election. One would include Cameron against Miliband, another would add Clegg and a third would bring in Farage.
In their letters to Cameron, the three leaders wrote: “It would be unacceptable if the political self-interest of one party leader were to deny the public the opportunity to see their leaders debate in public.In their letters to Cameron, the three leaders wrote: “It would be unacceptable if the political self-interest of one party leader were to deny the public the opportunity to see their leaders debate in public.
“Therefore, if you are unwilling to reconsider, the three party leaders who have committed to participate will ask the broadcasters to press ahead with the debates and provide an empty podium should you have a last-minute change of heart.“Therefore, if you are unwilling to reconsider, the three party leaders who have committed to participate will ask the broadcasters to press ahead with the debates and provide an empty podium should you have a last-minute change of heart.
“These debates are not the property of the politicians and I do not believe the public will accept lightly the prospect of any politician seeking to block them.”“These debates are not the property of the politicians and I do not believe the public will accept lightly the prospect of any politician seeking to block them.”
Downing Street has insisted to the broadcasters that Cameron’s position is unchanged following the letter, which is that “you can’t have some minor parties in and not other parties in”.Downing Street has insisted to the broadcasters that Cameron’s position is unchanged following the letter, which is that “you can’t have some minor parties in and not other parties in”.
However, the fact that three other political rivals have teamed up against him will significantly increase the pressure on the prime minister to take part in the events.However, the fact that three other political rivals have teamed up against him will significantly increase the pressure on the prime minister to take part in the events.
The Greens have said they are deeply disappointed not to be included in the contest and mounted a legal challenge against the decision, although this has been damaged by Ofcom’s view that they are not a major party.The Greens have said they are deeply disappointed not to be included in the contest and mounted a legal challenge against the decision, although this has been damaged by Ofcom’s view that they are not a major party.
Television debates took place for the first time at the last election, and included then Labour leader Gordon Brown, Cameron and Clegg.Television debates took place for the first time at the last election, and included then Labour leader Gordon Brown, Cameron and Clegg.
It is understood that BBC guidelines on impartiality and elections would not prevent the TV debates going ahead without the prime minister.Farage told the BBC’s Radio 4 Today programme that Cameron appeared frightened of debating immigration and Europe with him.It is understood that BBC guidelines on impartiality and elections would not prevent the TV debates going ahead without the prime minister.Farage told the BBC’s Radio 4 Today programme that Cameron appeared frightened of debating immigration and Europe with him.
“In 2010, David Cameron did very badly in these debates and was seen to be the loser. I notice this week he’s launched his six priorities for the Conservative election campaign and of course he’s completely ignored the issues of immigration and Europe. I feel very strongly he would rather not debate these issues with me on national television.”“In 2010, David Cameron did very badly in these debates and was seen to be the loser. I notice this week he’s launched his six priorities for the Conservative election campaign and of course he’s completely ignored the issues of immigration and Europe. I feel very strongly he would rather not debate these issues with me on national television.”
He added that it was pretty clear to him the broadcasters could hold the debates within their impartiality guidelines whether Cameron turned up or not.He added that it was pretty clear to him the broadcasters could hold the debates within their impartiality guidelines whether Cameron turned up or not.