Cameron dithers over Corbyn challenge

Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn has called on David Cameron to agree to an annual “state of the nation” TV debate between the Leaders of the major parties in the UK Parliament. Cameron’s press office at no. 10 tried to duck the challenge, telling newspapers that “The PM is happy to be held to account every week at Prime Minister’s Questions by MPs.” This response comes after Jeremy Corbyn has tried to widen out the relevance of “PMQ” by asking questions on behalf of named voters, rather than indulge in the traditional parliamentary knock-about at PMQ-time.

Televising debates between party leaders was an idea Cameron promoted before the 2010 General Election. After the experience, he became considerably less keen. The Tories stalled the negotiations over what debates would be held in the run up to the 2015 General Election to the point where it was almost inevitable that Cameron would look like a scaredy-cat once he got on the box.

Corbyn pointed to research, such as that issued recently by Leeds University which found that televised Leaders’ debates increased viewers’ interest in politics by nearly one third. He explained that annual debates would encourage more voters to engage in politics in between General Elections, as well as allowing party Leaders to test out their ideas before the public through debate with each other. They would also help voters hold the elected Prime Minister to account.

So far, other political parties have been keen on the Corbyn idea.

•The Lib-Dems were keen to take part, with their Leader, Tim Farron, claiming he wanted the chance to show that the Lib-Dems are the only real alternative to the Tories.” He’s still full of the seasonal spirit then: ho, ho, ho – but ten out of ten for trying.

•The Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) Leader, Nicola Sturgeon welcomed the proposal, She personally gained immensely from the 2015 TV debates and the SNP won every Westminster seat but one in Scotland at the General Election. The question now is whether Labour, under Corbyn, will claw back any ground in next May’s Scottish Assembly elections. Ms Sturgeon needs to back any proposal which will give her more air time.

Cameron has already announced that he will not continue as Tory Leader after the next scheduled General Election in 2020. If the annual TV debate is adopted, his party will be under some pressure to consider candidates’ TV skills when it comes to finding his replacement.