[ad_1]
Sir Nick Clegg was one of three party leaders to be grilled by voters during live head-to-head TV debates ahead of the 2010 general election.
Here, the former Liberal Democrat leader and deputy prime minister explains why he is backing Sky News’ Make Debates Happen campaign to make them a permanent fixture.
During the 2010 general election campaign, nearly 10 million viewers tuned in as David Cameron, Gordon Brown and I lined up against each other in the first televised leaders’ debate in British political history.
That debate, along with the two rematches which took place in the weeks that followed, were a defining feature of that election.
It seemed obvious to me, and no doubt to the millions of viewers, that this exciting innovation was here to stay.
1:17
Sky News believes voters deserve to see debates
In 2015, however, David Cameron did his best to wriggle out of any three-way leaders’ debate.
Conservative Party officials eventually signed up to a preposterous format which saw no less than seven party leaders fight it out for airtime on a crowded stage.
Still, at least Cameron turned up.
In 2017 Theresa May refused to take part in any form of TV debate at all.
The only televised head-to-head major party leaders’ debate took place in 2010
On both occasions the electorate were denied a vital opportunity to scrutinise the people who were fighting for their votes.
That’s why, when this country next goes to the polls, the power to decide upon the format of any future televised leaders debates must be taken out of the hands of both the politicians and the competing broadcasters.
These debates should be an immovable part of a general election in this country and a key component of our democratic process.
They should not be in the gift of whichever political party is in power, or whichever politician is ahead in the polls.
That is why I warmly welcome Sky News’ call to Make Debates Happen.
[ad_2]
