Are the debates dead?

[Workingman]

Cameron has said that he will now only take part in one of the multi-party debates.

He has ruled out a head-to-head clash with Labour leader Ed Miliband and one of the two involving the Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats, UKIP, Plaid Cymru, the SNP and the Greens.

Thank goodness for that, they are a complete waste of time.

Cynical! Me?

[Aggers]

I won't be watching any political debates.

I think they are a complete waste of time, too.

[TheOstrich]

Actually, I don't blame Cameron in the slightest for trying to duck out of as many public confrontations as possible. He would be on an absolute hiding to nothing after his last 5 years' record of shoddy government, and open to every attack and accusation in the book.

I agree that TV debates are a waste of time. They hold no interest to me, wouldn't influence my political opinions, and would probably only end up with me hurling the remote at the TV screen. I didn't watch the last round, and I've no intention of watching these either.

[Suff]

Actually all questions related to the government success, should be directed to both Cameron and Clegg. Any questions about future actions of the party or the party manifesto should go to each party leader independently.

Let us not forget that Cameron is in a coalition and his success, or failure, is shared.

What I see is that most of the successes are Tory policy and most of his failures are Lib Dem intransigence. Not something you can get over in a 90 minute sound bite fest.

[Workingman]

The debates, or slanging matches, are pointless exercises driven by the broadcasters. Would we, or democracy, be any worse off without them?

Anybody who turns up at a polling station on May 7th and hasn't a clue about what's going on; given the bombardment of sound bites, pledges and promises we are already getting, should not be voting. And if they are casting their vote based on what they saw on a TV show they should be shot.

[Suff]

Now, Now, these "debates"; now to be forever known as "troublemaker orchestrated slanging matches", are an opportunity for the party leaders to "show their quality" and "get their message over". All, of course, in as few words as the organisers can manager. Also the organisers will do their best to allow the most disruptive, most time to speak and the least disruptive, least time to answer.

Time to show their quality?

Just like Gladiatorial Rome gave their gladiators a platform to "show their quality".

Perhaps Cameron can start his pitch by saying "We who are about to die salute you"????

[victor]

bunch of liars anyway would'nt believe a word any of 'em said

[cromwell]

The debates, or slanging matches, are pointless exercises driven by the broadcasters.

Exactly this. The TV people are getting carried away with themselves and need to be put back in their box. They think that they have the power to decide the result of the election. They love this, it feeds their ego.

If Cameron has any sense he'll stick to his guns.

[Workingman]

Are the cracks beginning to show?

The DUP's Peter Robinson wants to take part but is being denied and could go to court over the matter, and Farage has criticised the broadcasters for moving the goalposts.....