The draft of yesterday’s speech by Gordon Brown that was provided to the press made it clear that that the Prime Minister would be announcing his acceptance of Sky TV’s invitation to an election debate among the leaders of the three principal parties.
However, the speech when delivered made no mention of it.
Questioned on the Today programme about the issue, the Prime Minister replied:
“There is a time for discussing debates, but we are not in an election yet…
“I’ve decided in my own mind, but… I’m not going into that today because basically there is a time for deciding these things and the time for me at the moment, where I’ve got to spend my time, is going round the country, as I have been doing over the last few months, to explain the policies that we are engaged in.”
I have a strong suspicion that No 10 will try to enter into a negotiating process with Sky in an attempt to frame the debate within the Prime Minister’s own comfort zone. I am also sure that, quite properly, Sky will refuse to engage in such negotiations.
Both David Cameron and Nick Clegg accepted the invitation immediately and without reservation. They are content to let the broadcasters determine the format of the debate and they are quite right to do so.
The debate will be an important element of the next election campaign. It will, I hope, revive interest in the political process, which has remained dormant for so long under Labour. It is an innovation that is long overdue.
Gordon Brown must understand that the longer he vacillates, the more it will appear that he is afraid of the contest. I am sure, however, that that is not the case and that he is, in fact, entirely up for it; let him show that now.
