Will Cameron Climb Down Over The Election Debates?

[barney15c]

Looks like the broadcasters are prepared to "Empty Chair" him, so will this call his bluff or will he make some kind of "Tactical Climbdown" so at to not lose face.

[mikey4444]

Gromit...I think there is a much simpler reason why the LibDem vote surged after the debate in 2010...... people were aware of Cleggie for perhaps the first time.

And of course, he wasn't dave or Gordon, which must have helped.

[Gromit]

Mikey,

I am wondering whether all the bad publicity about Miliband will have a similar effect. The Tory press paints him as a red and hopeless. When Ed is neither of those things in the debates, people might reconsider him and he might get a boost.
Or he could be hopeless.

[jim360]

The "surge" in the LibDem vote never made it to the polls, though.

[mikey4444]

Gromit...if Ed appears in these debates, and dave doesn't, it can only work in Labours favour. This is why I really can't understand why dave is being so negative about these debates. He is cutting his nose off to spite his face.

He is behind in the Polls, and has been since soon after the 2010 Election and here is a way for him to take control, and he is making a complete Horlicks of it. He is a good debater and yet he is refusing to debate ! Personaly, I think he is being badly advised.

[Jackdaw33]

What would happen if Dave, or any of the others, for that matter, were to be taken genuinely ill and would be unable to appear?

[mikey4444]

Then I guess they would appoint a deputy, which everybody would be understanding about.

[THECORBYLOON]

Why is the fourth largest Westminster party, the DUP, excluded from the debate? If the SNP and Plaid Cymru are participating, it makes sense for Ulster to be represented.

[SirOracle]

They already are Corby,by the Tories. ;-)

[Svejk]

If Milipede debates with an empty chair, I'm backing the chair.