2015 Election and the Leaders Debates

BBC Debate? No, on all major platforms.

Seems the after show with Emily Maitlis will also feature the DUP and Sinn Fein, in addition to the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats

Post-debate programme on BBC1 with @maitlis will feature Hague for the Tories, Alexander for the Lib Dems and the DUP and Sinn Fein

— James Forsyth (@JGForsyth) April 16, 2015

Wonder if like last time the newspaper first edition covers have already been sent over to BBC for their paper review before the debate even began, like last time. (Ref Private Eye.)

As for the debate itself the venue chosen is nice. Not sure whether Sky News will be too happy about the plug for the BBC's post-debate programme.

Biggest clapping for Nicole complaining David not turned up. Its good to see Clapping is back on the books for the debate!!!

I do wish they'd stop clapping after every other sentence.

A balance need to be made.

Pointless debate really. Miliband doesn't really want to debate with any of these minority parties.

I wonder how the Tory no show will reflect in the polls.

I get the feeling we might see a minor dip for them. The people are not happy about it.

Yes but there is a difference between clapping in agreement with somebody, clapping for the heck of it and clapping because everybody else is clapping. This isn't a trip to see the Chuckle Brothers at the London Palladium, much as it may feel like it on occasion.

At least we have clapping this time round, the debates in 2010 were so dry and devout of audience participation you may as well have just added a digital audience Wipeout style.

It reminds me of this from Family Guy:

The clapping and booing has led to accusations of bias though. When you have the whole audience staying quiet when one party says something and then roaring with applause at the opposite opinion, I wonder if no clapping is better.

I know it's a BBC Debate but considering Sky and ITV were quite clear what debate would be on when and on what channel, the BBC were very generic in their announcements of upcoming programmes. Dimble advertised tonight's Question Time as '10:45 after the News' and the post-debate coverage, that will only be on the BBC. He also mentioned the Question Time special in a few weeks - will just the BBC air that or will Sky simulcast that too?