After David Cameron declared that the TV debates “took all the life” out of the 2010 election campaign, there was much debate about whether he was, in the words of Labour, “running scared“. Cameron told a press gallery lunch: “I think we could learn from last time. I have got an open mind and there is still two and a half years to go before we have to really think about it.” The debates are viewed by Conservative strategists as one reason for the party’s failure to win a majority in 2010.
But asked by Sky News’s Adam Boulton at this afternoon’s press conference with Nick Clegg whether he was in favour of the debates, Cameron was less equivocal. “I’m in favour of them, I think they are good and I think we should go on having them, and I will play my part in trying to make that happen,” he said. After those words it will be harder for Cameron to avoid the debates in 2015, but the phrase “trying to make them happen” does leave him with some wriggle room.
One question that will arise is whether Nigel Farage should be included in the debates. If UKIP continue to poll at their current level and perform well in the European elections in 2014 (potentially even winning them) and future by-elections, Farage will push for a place. But since all three of the main parties have a mutual interest in avoiding the inclusion of “none of the above” candidate, it is hard to see his wish being granted.
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