Tonight's TV debate. BBC allow Tories to send spin doctors in Cameron absence
Well tonight will be the Challengers debate at 8pm on BBC1. Here you will find the podium order and speaking order for the show. Here is the BBC page for the debates including a picture of the studio and why Cameron/Clegg aren't appearing.
What they failed to mention is that Tory spin doctors have been invited and are allowed "access to the press" Labour officials are asking why Cameron is not willing to attend the debate in person but thinks it is worthwhile to send communications people to denigrate Miliband’s performance.
What they failed to mention is that Tory spin doctors have been invited and are allowed "access to the press" Labour officials are asking why Cameron is not willing to attend the debate in person but thinks it is worthwhile to send communications people to denigrate Miliband’s performance.
The BBC has agreed to allow Tory representatives to attend the debate at Methodist Central Hall in London and provide them with access to journalists who will be covering it. The spin doctors will also be interviewed in a live debate “reaction” programme after the main event finishes.
Labour, which said it only found out about the arrangement on Wednesday, said they were “incredulous” that the BBC had made the concession, which has also been extended to the Lib Dems.
A senior Labour source said the party was outraged that the Conservatives should be given the opportunity to send spin doctors to an event their own leader had boycotted.
“David Cameron should be represented by an empty chair. Instead, he is will be represented by spin doctors,” they said. “We know he doesn’t want a head-to-head debate with Ed Miliband but it now appears that the Conservatives have concluded their spin doctors will do a better job than the Prime Minister.”
But a Tory source said they should be able to put their side of the argument. “This is a desperate tactic to distract from the fact that the pressure is on Miliband,” they said. “It is entirely right and proper that we should be there. We might just send Michael Fallon.”
The BBC said it had invited the Tories and Lib Dems so they could take part in the debate analysis. They added that the corporation needed to ensure that it fulfilled impartiality rules and this was the best way of achieving that.
“We have said from the beginning that we would endeavour to give fair representation to political parties not involved in the debate,” said a BBC source.
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Comments
Let's hope each participant personally mentions Chicken Dave.
They may both still technically "be the govt"...I guess if Dave got the worst of an encounter with a bus tomorrow Nick would be the effective PM...but it's not like they are fighting a joint campaign...and they are "leaders debates"...not "PM debates" or "govt defending its record debates"
and what about the absence of Clegg?
Who??
"The BBC said it had invited the Tories and Lib Dems so they could take part in the debate analysis. They added that the corporation needed to ensure that it fulfilled impartiality rules and this was the best way of achieving that."
So basically the BBC asked them to send someone. Not as sensational.
Why would the timing backfire on him?
Manifestoes are out.
You've got to give it to Boyard, he's pretty relentless. He should be out on the streets campaigning instead of having us listen to it all.
I do believe he's been excluded from the debate, even though he wanted to go.
Excellent news for Miliband then.
There is a spin room attached to the debating chamber. Of course the spin doctors will be attending. They have a perfect right to attend.
Move along nothing to see here.
Cameron has the job. He does not need to apply. He is Prime Minister.
Labour - shows Ed is ready to govern
SNP - Nicola strong performance blew Labour away
UKIP - Man of the people tells it like it is
Green - The 3 woman on the panel most decisive with answers
Plaid - strong performance from the women
Conservatives - shows the chaos that will happen if we get a coalition of Labour and SNP
Lib Dems - we should have been there to show we can moderate the ideas of all the parties
Since Clegg offered to attend any TV debate, but wasn't invited (due to Cameron's veto?), I don't see why he should receive any stick for not being there.
Exactly, kind of a low blow from Cameron. Which just shows the kind of person he is.
His mistake is making the assumption that he can have the job for a further five years without publically exposing himself to debate/questions.
Ah Bless. There's nothing quite so glorious as seeing Labour hurl their toys out of their pram.
Maybe the BBC feel their viewers might want reactions from the other two parties as to how the debate went?
Dave's on a fixed term contract and once ended it has to be reapplied for.
His contract is not up yet.