General Election TV debates: Ed Miliband ups David Cameron pressure with call for new law
With lesss than two months until polling day, the row over television leader debates has taken a new turn. It has emerged that the broadcasters may have to give David Cameron his own television slots if he refuses to take part in debates, to comply with strict election rules.
Miliband has formally agreed to take part in debates for this election, and accepted the schedule set by the broadcasters. However, Cameron will only agree to one, taking place before the end of March. It means broadcasters may have to represent his views in other ways to keep to election rules, according to the Independent on Sunday.
Miliband has also announced a plan to put future debates into law. In an interview with the Observer the Labour leader commented: “It is time to do what so many other countries do and put the planning of debates on a clearly established footing.
The Conservatives hit back. A party spokesman said: “We are focused on the big issues that matter to hardworking taxpayers like fixing our economy. This shows that Labour have got their priorities all wrong and are more interested in playing politics.”