DT
There are many other examples of this - Robin Day stood as a Liberal candidate and Alastair Burnet was certainly well known as a Conservative and a particular fan of Edward Heath, and of course Nick Robinson was in the Young Conservatives. This didn't stop them being able to interview impartially, and you could hardly suggest that Paxman's previous interviews have illustrated a bias towards the Tories.
Do Labour refuse to be interviewed by Nick Robinson? No, so why would they take issue with debating with someone who has admitted Conservative leanings (though is not a member of the Conservative party)?
Well Nick Robinson's involvement was 25 years ago not 6 months.
Yeah but to be honest - Robinson's involvement was of a much higher level - Chairman of the Young Conservatives, not a small c one nation conservative. It is important to remember the Tories approached Paxman not the other way around, also given he described himself as a one nation conservative - he may not be inclined to vote for the Conservative Party's policies at the current election.
Don't think either Miliband or Clegg have signed on the bottom line. Labour won't agree to a debate with Paxman due to him coming out as a 'one nation' Tory after leaving Newsnight. He was also approached to be the Conservatives London Mayoral candidate.
There are many other examples of this - Robin Day stood as a Liberal candidate and Alastair Burnet was certainly well known as a Conservative and a particular fan of Edward Heath, and of course Nick Robinson was in the Young Conservatives. This didn't stop them being able to interview impartially, and you could hardly suggest that Paxman's previous interviews have illustrated a bias towards the Tories.
Do Labour refuse to be interviewed by Nick Robinson? No, so why would they take issue with debating with someone who has admitted Conservative leanings (though is not a member of the Conservative party)?
Well Nick Robinson's involvement was 25 years ago not 6 months.
Yeah but to be honest - Robinson's involvement was of a much higher level - Chairman of the Young Conservatives, not a small c one nation conservative. It is important to remember the Tories approached Paxman not the other way around, also given he described himself as a one nation conservative - he may not be inclined to vote for the Conservative Party's policies at the current election.