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A seven-sided debate would not be a debate - Professor Wyn Grant

WynfordProfessor Wyn Grant from the Department of Politics and International Studies, comments on the Prime Minister’s ‘final offer’ to broadcasters over pre-election TV debates.

He said: “David Cameron has made a strategic calculation about whether it is worth going ahead with pre-election television debates. His proposal of a single seven-sided debate would not be a debate as much as a series of disconnected statements and responses.

“Cameron and his advisers are concerned that a head-to-head debate would enhance the status of Ed Miliband as an alternative prime minister. At present many voters find it difficult to visualise him in 10 Downing Street. However, voters could blame Cameron for the failure of the debates to go ahead, which now seems very likely.

“Broadcasters could, of course, go ahead with empty chair debates, but they might be unwilling to do that. There is also the possibility of Ed Miliband being interviewed by Jeremy Paxman.”

Note to Editors:

Professor Wyn Grant is available for interviews. We have an ISDN line and a Globelynx TVReady Network camera installed in our Broadcast Studio on campus for broadcast requests.

Contact Lee Page, Communications Manager, Press and Policy Office, The University of Warwick. Tel: +44 (0)2476 574 255, Mob: +44 (0)7920 531 221. Email: l.page@warwick.ac.uk

 

Further Information

Lee Page, Communications Manager

+44 (0)2476 574 255

+44 (0)7920 531 221

l.page@warwick.ac.uk