I was really surprised to see that David Cameron has refused to do a head to head TV debate with Ed Milliband, the leader of the opposition. Why? The only debate with David Cameron, our Prime Minister, will be with 5 other political leaders, and will be more of a ‘Bun Fight’ to get a message across.
The TV debates are pure drama; anyone that saw the last set of debates, where Nick Clegg left the other two leaders standing at the starting line, will realise that this form of communication is very powerful. Personally, I believe it is going to be more of a struggle for Cameron to make his mark in the only debate he is appearing in.
Why has he – and his advisors, decided not to do a head to head with Milliband? Do they feel his debating skills are weak and Miliband’s are stronger? Or are the Conservative messages not strong enough? Only time will tell, but I am personally disappointed this won’t take place. After every TV debate, there is analysis of ‘who won’ the debate and also the impact on the audience – and ultimately the electorate. I wonder if Cameron isn’t confident he’d win. I don’t know. What do you think?
But whatever we think, Cameron will be known as a politician who avoided the TV debate!
Cameron’s public image is much better than Miliband’s, thanks mainly to the latter’s unfair press treatment.
In 2010, Clegg did well partly because he had previously had relatively little public exposure. |Miliband now is in a similar position I expect Cameron realises viewers are likely to be surprised how well Miliband comes across, and he has more to lose than gain by debating.
Dear Alex, thanks for commenting. I totally agree with you. I understand Cameron is a far better speaker in the ‘flesh’ so to speak, but doesn’t transmit so well via the TV. His decision is strategic, and a shame: I like a good debate!
And when it was the other way around, and the Labour party was in office, they didn’t want a live debate either. Remember whoever is in office is effectively debating with one hand tied behind their back. They have the official secrets act to comply with so the “opposition” can ask all kinds of rubbish and not have it answered because they know they can’t answer it. I’d like to see debates, but, they all tend to be class issues and an effort to show haves and have nots. We’re a nation of many facets and they will never come up as everyone is fixated on where someone was educated and where they live.
I agree: there is a huge advantage to being the opposition, because you can question the current policies and the successes of these. I’m not sure all debates focus on class issues, but I would like the opportunity for Cameron to be challenged on the spot. Thanks for commenting.