Should Ukip Be In The Next General Election Tv Debate?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/david-cameron-dont-put-ukip-in-general-election-tv-debate-8457116.html

[sandyRoe]

Yes. They are going to split the Right Wing vote and ensure a Labour victory at the next election.

[jno]

can't see why not, but I suppose it will depend on how they fiddle the qualifications for appearing. When Cameron says you should only get in if you could form a government, that would have kept Clegg out last time; but Clegg's now in the government. The rules should be drawn widely.

[ChillDoubt]

Yes. Dunno about a Labour victory though sandyRoe, Farage might yet be in a Coalition if these figures are anything to go by!

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/nigel-farages-shock-at-ukips-europe-1531433

[doctordb]

Ukip doesn't have a single seat in the house. If they are included then so should respect, the greens etc.

[Gromit]

They will be able to debate as much as they like on TV during the next election.

If you mean a Party Leaders debate, no they shouldn't. That is mant for potential Prime Ministers and Farage is not one of those.

It is also not a foregone conclusion there will be similar debates next time. I think the last one slew the election result and caused the coalition. Brown and Cameron did badly. For there to be debates again, ALL the 3 leaders have to agree. I can see some not agreeing purely on demage limitation grounds.

[pdq1]

You could add these AB replies to your question that was put last Monday and preceded the Evening Standard

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/News/Question1207057.html

[rojash]

" Farage might yet be in a Coalition if these figures are anything to go by"

I doubt very much if people's claimed voting intentions for the European Parliament reflect the way they would vote in a general election.

[DTCwordfan]

No, the Green Party have more right as at least they currently have a seat in Parliament, UKIP do not.

[ChillDoubt]

Erm, my comments were very much tongue-in-cheek rojash.

[New Judge]

No they should not. And nor should anybody else. The TV debates were a farce and demonstrated that those able to put on a good show on "I'm a Potential Prime Minister Get Me Out Of Here" do not necessarily make good leaders. Furthermore, anybody whose decision on how to vote is swayed by such an artificial pantomime should not be entitled to vote.


That is mant for potential Prime Ministers

[jake-the-peg]

Not that often we agree NJ but we do here!

Although I might consider that a radio debate between them might be better - the audience might be smaller but they'd more focus on substance over style

[New Judge]

NJ retires for large brandy and a lie down !!!!!

[jno]

so if no debate had been held last time, who would have won? One who impressed as a potential prime minister, or one who didn't?

[DaisyNonna]

Isn't there enough rubbish on the TV already without General Eection Debates?

[annieigma]

I agree with newjudge, the ability to put a good show on telly is not anything to go by. I always think that political people are failed actors/actresses.
But, the ukip are going to be treated as a vote wasted in the next election,
so labour will get their votes, same as the greens, we might like their policies, but the fear of another tory government will dissuade lots for voting for their chosen party.

[ichkeria]

New Judge had better make that another large brandy as I also agree with him on this!
The harsh truth for Farage and indeed other minority party leaders is that like it or not it will be the main party leaders who will decide this and if they don't get their way then they won't play. But I hope we won't be subjected to any more of these Presidential-style debates

[jno]

sorry to everyone who thinks my political news should be restricted to newspapers (which, when covering politics, are often highly coloured) and radio (which I don't have). I do have a TV and that is by far the best way of forming my judgment of people for whom I might vote. The electorate as a whole has a lamentable habit of voting for the wrong people, at least in the eyes of those who voted for different people, but that's democracy for you.

[Answerprancer]

No, they're a bunch of c**ts.

[annieigma]

Answerprancer, why don't you stand for election? anyone can, then you can put your own views forward to the voters. there has to be someone out there that is not doing it for the money and fame. or is there???

[Answerprancer]

Why don't I ? because I am a (potential) voter, not a political leader.
Happy with that, Angina?