Cameron may duck TV election debates
Saturday 24 November 2012
Related articles
David Cameron may not take part in televised debates of party leaders in the run-up to the next general election, it was reported last night.
The Conservative Party chairman, Grant Shapps, said that it was not certain that Mr Cameron would debate with other party leaders in 2015, as he did in 2010, when televised debates were held for the first time.
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg’s performance in those debates saw his party’s standing in the polls improve at the expense of both Labour and the Tories.
In an interview with The Times, Mr Shapps said nothing had yet been decided: “I had very mixed feelings about the leaders’ debates last time round. It may or may not have made a difference. The reason I’ve got mixed feelings is to do with the shape of the campaign, which was then all about the debates – it’s not important what you do up in Newcastle on a particular day, it’s all about the debate that evening or that’s coming out.”
Mr Shapps added: “I’m open-minded. I don’t know if it will happen. There will be a discussion.”
Both Labour and the Liberal Democrats are said to be expecting the debates to go ahead, but all three parties have disagreed over the format they could take. There has been some suggestion that there may be only one debate, rather than three as in 2010.
-
That's some guestlist! Stunning images show huge dynastic wedding between Ultra-Orthodox Jewish families which attracted 25,000 guests
-
'Sickening, deluded and unforgivable': Horrific attack brings terror to London’s streets
-
National archives: Edward VIII’s phone calls - and how MI5 bugged them
-
World news in pictures
-
Eyewitness Ingrid Loyau-Kennett gives extraordinary account of her confrontation with Woolwich attackers
- 1 'Sickening, deluded and unforgivable': Horrific attack brings terror to London’s streets
- 2 Mothers' diets may harm IQs in two-thirds of babies
- 3 Far-right French historian, 78-year-old Dominique Venner, commits suicide in Notre Dame in protest against gay marriage
- 4 Eyewitness Ingrid Loyau-Kennett gives extraordinary account of her confrontation with Woolwich attackers
- 5 Woolwich attack: The EDL might have a sinister plan as a soldier is murdered in suspected Islamic terrorist attack
Get your summer started with British Military Fitness
BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes
Visit York
Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
Independent Dating
Day In a Page
Edward VIII’s phone calls - and how MI5 bugged them
Hollywood's random acts of red-carpet kindness
Not secure any more: G4S boss heads for exit at last
How to say ‘I’m a sellout’






Comments