Is Cameron Playing Mind Games With The Election Debates?

[barney15c]

First he says he wants the Greens to be involved with the debates before he will participate (I don't believe for one moment this is some altruistic gesture on his part to help fringe parties). Now he is saying that he will only participate in one of the 3 planned debates. What is his game. I would say 'fine' don't represent your party and its policies, we'll put up an empty podium to signify you were invited to participate and it was you who refused to. Call his bluff he will soon back down.

[jim360]

The entire concept of presidential-style debates doesn't really make sense in a supposedly constituency-based election. It's especially bizarre because two party leaders are being featured who by definition have no chance of being PM, while another three have no practical chance

[Gromit]

He has everything to lose and nothing to gain by these participating in these debates.

It is probably fair to say Brown would be still at Number 10 if Clegg hadn't won the last debates in 2010.

There will be accusations that he is chicken, but really, there is nothing in this for Cameron.

[Canary42]

... except loss of face, which might just lead to loss of votes.

[mushroom25]

if the media - and the other parties - do actually agree to these latest conditions, cameron will probably then insist on the participation of george galloway.

[Jackdaw33]

//It is probably fair to say Brown would be still at Number 10 if Clegg hadn't won the last debates in 2010. //

I disagree. Cameron would have probably won an overall majority.

[Jackdaw33]

...and I agree entirely with Jim360.

[ichkeria]

Yes the Tories looked at the last debates in 2010 and identified that as a key factor in losing them the election.
Their position is wholly dishonest. Intelligent senior Tories when pressed on this almost admit as much
I disagree that the debates make no sense when only two leaders have a chance of being PM
So not mind games. Just economy with the truth of what they actually think They'll get roasted for it at every opportunity when the debates do take place. They obviously calculate that that will benefit them

[Old_Geezer]

He need not participate at all, but fears it will lead to a negative impact for his party if he opts to decline, so he stipulates conditions so he isn't asked as much or in as much detail as he would be otherwise. Being one of many means less pressure on him, and other individuals who are likely to hold high office, because much of the time is wasted on 'also rans'. It's a simple act of cowardice. But as said at the start of this post, he's not obliged to jump through media hoops anyway, that's not his job. He can take the perceived hit if he so chose.

[Farriercm]

Yes Cameron is very good at Shouting his mouth off, when at the despatch box at PMQs when his party are behind him jeering and shouting like a load of overgrown school boys, but on his own he would not be so brave, think he is very afraid of a heated debate and Farage scares him. Cameron is running scared,very scared.

[ichkeria]

So now it's official what we all knew would happen:
A "final offer" from the Tories of a debate in March before their manifesto is published and of course no head-to-head with the only other leader who stands a chance of being PM
They never had any intention of taking part and I hope their ducking, diving and dishonesty comes back to haunt them. I wouldn't trust a party like that with my vote, and you may be sure UKIP will make a big deal out of it

[ToraToraTora]

Gromit has it in a nutshell.

[ichkeria]

The serious charge is dishonesty not cowardice
And I've just heard a Tory on the TV claiming that not having a head to head debate will actually benefit Labour
First he wanted to help the Greens, then the DUP now Labour
Truly Mr Cameron's beneficence knows no bounds

[youngmafbog]

Unusually I oo agreewith Gromit.

In addition, I for one woudl be more than happy to see the back of these pointless debates.

[ludwig]

I don't like them as it's all about style over substance - look how well Clegg did on the last ones. It's just the media wanting to copy America and create an 'event' they can televise, write about and analyse ad nauseum.

[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.

[saintpeter48]

“I’ve always wanted these debates to happen. I mean they happen in every country. They even happen in Mongolia for heaven’s sake and it’s part of the modern age that we should be in.” – David Cameron, BBC3, 21 April 2010

“I absolutely believe in these debates and think they are great.” – David Cameron and Jeremy Thompson, Sky news, 14 April 2010

“I think these debates are here to stay. They clearly engage people in politics which is what we need.” – David Cameron, News of the World, 2 May 2010