The Newsroom

2015 Election and the Leaders Debates

For discussion of the Leaders Interviews and Debates on the BBC, ITV, Sky News/Channel 4. (October 2014)

This site closed in March 2021 and is now a read-only archive
NG
noggin Founding member
VMPhil posted:
DVB Cornwall posted:
It's clear that the more members the longer each of the debates will have to be. Two hours simply isn't enough.

That just doesn't seem like a good proposition for viewers though. 7 different candidates talking for possibly several hours. I can't see it working if they go ahead with it.


Happens in lots of other countries in Europe like Sweden and Denmark... However they normally stage more than one debate - and concentrate them in policy areas. So you get an Economic debate, a Foreign Policy debate etc. and they don't just concentrate on the party leaders, though there ARE leader debates.

To be honest I think it works much better - you get decent discussion about issues with people who are across them - and actually find out a bit more about the party policy. Feels a bit more 'grown up' than our point-scoring exercises...
bilky asko and globaltraffic24 gave kudos
GL
globaltraffic24
Yep. It's completely the norm in Denmark. The link below is a typical example. 9 leaders debating.

http://youtu.be/ninGXqTHAXk
VM
VMPhil
What's right for Denmark's viewers and political system is not necessarily what's right for the UK.
MO
Mouseboy33
VMPhil posted:
What's right for Denmark's viewers and political system is not necessarily what's right for the UK.

No of course not....
GL
globaltraffic24
dosxuk posted:
globaltraffic24 posted:
If you are in England, you won't be able to vote for Nicola Sturgeon but you will certainly be affected by her plans.


Even if you're in Scotland, most people won't be able to vote for her, she'll only be standing in one constituency.

globaltraffic24 posted:
Her party is on course to win 55 seats


55 / 59 seats? That's the highest prediction I can find anywhere. Most seem to put the upper bounds around 48.


Google it. The latest opinion poll came out yesterday. It predicts 55 for SNP, 4 for Labour and 0 for the others
BA
bilky asko
We already have a TV debate format where multiple people take part on various topics of discussion: it's called Question Time. With the correct format, having 7 parties taking part shouldn't be too hard to achieve.

VMPhil posted:
What's right for Denmark's viewers and political system is not necessarily what's right for the UK.


Not to the extent that having a multiple-leader debate wouldn't be possible at all. There are so many debate formats to choose from - there's a good chance you'll find one that works here.
EL
elmarko
bilky asko posted:
We already have a TV debate format where multiple people take part on various topics of discussion: it's called Question Time.

It's also frequently a bloody trainwreck
GL
globaltraffic24
elmarko posted:
bilky asko posted:
We already have a TV debate format where multiple people take part on various topics of discussion: it's called Question Time.

It's also frequently a bloody trainwreck


Well dear - this is 2015. You have a choice. We can either not do these debates, or the broadcasters can finally respect that this is a democratic country and show all leaders in the debate. I can't quite believe that in the UK in the 21st century we're even having a debate about whether or not political parties leaders 'deserve' to take part in a political debate, especially when the argument descends to not liking it because it could get rowdy. How frightfully British!
DO
dosxuk
globaltraffic24 posted:
or the broadcasters can finally respect that this is a democratic country and show all leaders in the debate


Are you wanting to include the leaders of the Bus Pass Elvis, Monster Raving Loony and all the other single issue / local / piss take parties in these debates too?
BA
bilky asko
elmarko posted:
bilky asko posted:
We already have a TV debate format where multiple people take part on various topics of discussion: it's called Question Time.

It's also frequently a bloody trainwreck


Yes, but are any of the party leaders Daily Mail columnists, New Statesman columnists, Russell Brand, or David Starkey? They're usually the ones kicking up a stink.
SN
The SNT Three
dosxuk posted:
globaltraffic24 posted:
or the broadcasters can finally respect that this is a democratic country and show all leaders in the debate


Are you wanting to include the leaders of the Bus Pass Elvis, Monster Raving Loony and all the other single issue / local / p*** take parties in these debates too?


The fact of the matter is that nearly every UK citizen has the right to set up a party if they want, and should be treated equally in the eyes of the media...
BR
Brekkie
DVB Cornwall posted:
SINN FEIN would be unlikely to accept as they don't take their seats.

They've already said they'd be happy to appear.

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