UK - SKY News launches campaign for a leaders' debate

[gaz]

SKY have launched a campaign to get Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg to take part in a live televised debate. Separate debates will hopefully take place in Wales and Scotland. So far Cameron and Clegg have agreed to be part of it, if any other leaders decline to take part they will be represented by an empty chair.

If you think this is something you want to see then details and the online petition can be found here (http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Politics/Sky-News-Launches-Campaign-For-Live-Television-Debate-With-Party-Leaders-Ahead-Of-General-Election/Article/200908415368913).

[rgjbloke]

Ah yes, the media trying to influence the elections again. Why don't they stick to reporting the news, rather than trying to make the news.

[gaz]

Ah yes, the media trying to influence the elections again. Why don't they stick to reporting the news, rather than trying to make the news.

Personally I think it's more like SKY trying to get ratings but I still think it's a good idea. What's wrong with actually seeing these guys thinking on their feet on a variety of subjects without an army of advisers telling them what they should be saying?

[Arfah]

Just the big three ? There are other parties, such as the greens and monster raving looneys. Even the BNP ?! Get them to have a debate first and the winner earns a chair with the big three.

[rgjbloke]

I think you are right to say Sky are after the ratings but that's just part of what's going on here. I've seen the media in the past moulding the news and I don't like it. The media becomes more powerful than parliament and the electorate,. That's not right. We live in a parliamentary democracy and it is reasonably transparent. We see everyday what our politicians are up to and we don't need this circus to help us make up our minds about who we are going to vote for. Once again, we have an Australian born American citizen and resident trying to call the shots in Britain. Politics is in a bad enough state without this.

[Lov3ll]

Just the big three ? There are other parties, such as the greens and monster raving looneys. Even the BNP ?! Get them to have a debate first and the winner earns a chair with the big three.

Agreed, this country has been ran by 3 parties for hundreds of years about time some of the smaller parties got equal coverage.

[gaz]

Just the big three ? There are other parties, such as the greens and monster raving looneys. Even the BNP ?! Get them to have a debate first and the winner earns a chair with the big three.

Not sure, it's not really too clear about that - it only mentions the big three and that Clegg and Cameron have said yes but then states 'if any of the other leaders decline the invitation' suggesting that others are involved.

[Arfah]

I forgot to mention UKIP :-)

[Mr Gently Benevolent]

I forgot to mention UKIP :-)Cameron would have f*ck all to say as UKIP have stolen the Tories anti-euro mantle. The whole thing would be a stage managed clown show without the rest of the parties. Salmond is good at roasting Brown and Nick Clegg has the odd deft move now and then.

[Mackie]

Shiny Cameron can only loose. I watched him in a dicussion with Brown weeks ago.
Not very impressive.

[CMNot]

I'm for it; but lets have it on the beeb, with Paxman preferably, or that chap who does This Week, name escapes me.

Sky can suck my ballsack. Anyone watch their coverage of the US election? Looked like amateur night.

[gaz]

It's been agreed to, one debate each on ITV, SKY and the BBC.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8425280.stm

[CMNot]

They really think people are going to watch three?

I'll try to stick one out.