Let's have a mass debate

[doktorb]

The excited chatter in the UK is about Sky News' decision to invite the main party leaders to a televised debate.

David Cameron has said yes. Nick Clegg has accepted. From Gordon Brown....nothing. Yet.

Sky News has suggested it will "empty chair" Brown if he does not show up, something I think many will support. If he is such a "great leader" then let him prove it. Let him answer direct questions (for once).

Such debates have been forever pushed to one side in the UK, but with an increasingly "presidential" style attitude given to the leaders than ever before, it seems inevitable that they will become more common.

What do people here think - is it right for Sky News to be forcing hands like this, and would an empty chair be fair on Brown?

[You kip if you want to...]

The excited chatter in the UK is about Sky News' decision to invite the main party leaders to a televised debate.

David Cameron has said yes. Nick Clegg has accepted. From Gordon Brown....nothing. Yet.

Sky News has suggested it will "empty chair" Brown if he does not show up, something I think many will support. If he is such a "great leader" then let him prove it. Let him answer direct questions (for once).

Such debates have been forever pushed to one side in the UK, but with an increasingly "presidential" style attitude given to the leaders than ever before, it seems inevitable that they will become more common.

What do people here think - is it right for Sky News to be forcing hands like this, and would an empty chair be fair on Brown?

Would they do it to Cameron if he had said no?

[doktorb]

That is a situation he has not presented them with

[Meeker]

You folks don't have debates? Odd.

[doktorb]

You folks don't have debates? Odd.

Nope. Never have. I mean sometimes channels will get some kind of psuedo-deabte going on (certain Cabinet minister plus shadows), but not leaders. Never has.

[Silent Hunter]

You folks don't have debates? Odd.

Nope. Never have. I mean sometimes channels will get some kind of psuedo-deabte going on (certain Cabinet minister plus shadows), but not leaders. Never has.

It gets mooted every election, usually by the opposition. The incumbents don't want to risk it.

[Serenity Now]

Doktorb - was the title for this thread meant to be humorous in any way? Or is that just me..

[doktorb]

Doktorb - was the title for this thread meant to be humorous in any way? Or is that just me..

I thought a bit of British inneundo was needed on an American forum

[Serenity Now]

Doktorb - was the title for this thread meant to be humorous in any way? Or is that just me..

I thought a bit of British inneundo was needed on an American forum

Absolutely

[doktorb]

Doktorb - was the title for this thread meant to be humorous in any way? Or is that just me..

I thought a bit of British inneundo was needed on an American forum

Absolutely

I always like to get it in when I can.

[Silent Hunter]

Labour are making noises that they might accept- and want debates between other "heavyweights".

[You kip if you want to...]

Labour are making noises that they might accept- and want debates between other "heavyweights".

Darling Vs. Osbourne Vs. Cable... we'll all be Sky Plus-ing that... *cough*

[doktorb]

Labour are making noises that they might accept- and want debates between other "heavyweights".

Darling Vs. Osbourne Vs. Cable... we'll all be Sky Plus-ing that... *cough*

LOL. You wait for the Home Office debates. Even I struggle to get through one of Chris Huhne's answers....

[doktorb]

It's going ahead

For the first time in UK electoral history,  party leaders debate in the run - up to the General Election.

The SNP are hinting at court action, though I doubt it'll go very far.....

[You kip if you want to...]

The SNP are hinting at court action, though I doubt it'll go very far.....

It's wierd how we haven't heard much from Plaid even when they're in a coalition Welsh government.

[Joe Republic]

You folks don't have debates? Odd.

They have them every Wednesday, and they're a heck of a lot more entertaining than ours.

Pre-election debates are a different story, however.

[doktorb]

Ah yes, I do forget that US audiences for Prime Ministers Questions remains fairly high, even with Blair gone...=)

(The question used to be put "Imagine George W Bush having to go through a PMQs style experience?".  Imagine how Obama would cope.....)

[You kip if you want to...]

Ah yes, I do forget that US audiences for Prime Ministers Questions remains fairly high, even with Blair gone...=)

(The question used to be put "Imagine George W Bush having to go through a PMQs style experience?".  Imagine how Obama would cope.....)

I don't think many US politicians could handle it really...

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Anti-Welsh racism.

[doktorb]

What I would like to happen is for Alex Salmond to be told he cannot answer any of the questions because they are not devolved issues. Just have him on set looking totally sidelined.

[afleitch]

What I would like to happen is for Alex Salmond to be told he cannot answer any of the questions because they are not devolved issues. Just have him on set looking totally sidelined.

The SNP will be fighting a Westminster election to send MP's to London who will take decisions on reserved matters such as the economy, Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Social Security. He, or any other SNP spokesman has every right to voice their opinion on these matters.