Lib Dems & Labour pressure Tories over TV debates

Following days of speculation that Prime Minister, David Cameron, is trying to find a way of getting out of participating in the leaders debates for the general election next year both the Liberal Democrats and Labour have thrown down the gauntlet to him. It is thought that Mr Cameron is trying to put forward a system of a series of three debates by the following format 2-3-5. Which he hopes the Lib Dems will block.

The Five-way debate would be: For the Conservatives David Cameron, for Labour Ed Miliband, for the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg, for the Greens Natalie Bennett and for the UK Independence Party Nigel Farage. The three-way debate the leaders of the three main party leaders, Mr Cameron, Mr Clegg and Mr Miliband. And the Two-way debate a head-to-head between Mr Cameron and Mr Miliband. On the latter Ofcom might rule against that as the Liberal Democrats have to be given equal air time with Labour and the Tories.

A senior Lib Dem source said: "Both the Liberal Democrats and Labour have repeatedly said that we are ready to sign up to TV debates on the same format as last time. It is David Cameron and the Conservative Party that have been ducking and weaving and looking for excuses not to do them. If the Tories are serious about TV debates, they should stop dragging their feet and get round the negotiating table."

Commenting for Labour their Shadow Cabinet Office Minister, Michael Dugher, said: “This is yet another desperate attempt to dodge talks about TV debates - David Cameron has stalled at every opportunity so far. If he is serious about this, he should stop dithering, appoint his negotiators and get on with it. It’s nonsensical for Cameron to say he wants to start the debates early, but the negotiations late. Labour wants talks with broadcasters to start immediately, but Cameron clearly doesn’t. Instead of continuing to duck and dive, finding fresh excuses to squirm his way out of the negotiations, he should just get on with it. What is he so scared of?”

Green leader Natalie Bennett is up for a five-way debate telling the BBC this morning "anytime, any place, anywhere". On the question of whether Nigel Farage of the United Kingdom Independence Party should be invited the Labour leader Ed Miliband told Andrew Marr on Sunday "I am up for the debates and if the broadcasters want to invite Nigel is a matter for them". The Liberal Democrat leader has already debated twice with Mr Farage recently. So all eyes are on Mr Cameron and the Conservatives to see whether they will agree to take part.