It began as a novel method of educating the British public in politics before a crucial general election.
Viewed by 9.4 million people, the 2010 debate between the party leaders Gordon Brown (Labour), David Cameron (Conservative) and Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrat) proved an avid spectacle before a crucial general election. So why not do it again?
Yet since 2010 British party politics has changed.
There are no longer only three major parties in Parliament; the Green party won a seat in 2010, nationalist parties continue to be popular in Wales (Plaid Cymru) and Scotland (SNP). Plus who can forget the rise of UKIP, who now have two seats in Parliament.
So, when the plans for this years debate were announced, which only had Nigel Farage (UKIP) added, it caused outrage among the smaller parties and David Cameron refused to partake without these smaller parties.
The plans changed; seven leaders would now feature. There were to be three leaders debates, one with a head-to-head between Labour leader Ed Miliband and Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron. The other party leaders would feature in two other debates.
Even with these plans there was continued disagreement.
Broadcasters failed to include the Democratic Unionist Party (from Northern Ireland) despite including all other major parties. In fact the BBC has rejected the DUP’s appeal on the matter.
Now David Cameron is refusing profusely to partake in all but one of the debates, and in response the broadcasting companies are continuing their plans with or without the Prime Minister.
After all the struggle and toil, we end up with debates that don’t feature all the relevant parties and may now not feature the Prime Minister. Are these debates worth the effort?
The lack of DUP seems a major oversight. After the Scottish Independence referendum it’s clear the Union is close to pulling apart, so it’s not the best time to start excluding small nationalist parties.
But I don’t think it’s a major reason to postpone the whole debate, seven parties will still be informative to the public as they begin to contemplate who to vote for in May.
David Cameron is a slightly more pressing issue. Whatever his reasoning is, it’s clear he believes these debates will be damaging.
Other party leaders have been quick to criticise his decision, with Nicola Sturgeon (SNP leader) saying we should “stick with that, rather than allow a Tory prime minister to dictate the terms of debate."
There has already been enough conflict in organising these debates, so the BBC is justified in pressing on without him. It’ll only serve to damage his reputation.
It’s a shame, because in an age where political interest is dwindling, the debates served a purpose of capturing the interest of the public. Yet David Cameron’s refusal reinstates the negative view people hold about politicians.
The upcoming general election will be closely contested according to opinion polls, so these debates prove crucial for all parties to influence the public. Yet Cameron may have left the door wide open for Ed Miliband. I can hardly see him losing a debate to an empty chair.
TV debates schedule:
April 2: Debate between all seven party leaders– Broadcasted on ITV
April 16: Debate between all seven party leaders– Broadcasted on BBC
April 30: Head-to-head debate featuring David Cameron and Ed Miliband - Broadcasted on Channel 4 and Sky
