‘Empty chair’ threat to PM if he won’t join TV debates
Cameron accused of ‘chickening out’ of TV debates because he fears Farage’s impact on Tory voters
Ed Miliband, Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage are ready to “empty chair” David Cameron by going ahead with the leaders’ election debates on TV without the Prime Minister, if necessary, unless he drops his demand that the Green Party leader Natalie Bennett takes part.
The final decision is for Ofcom and the broadcasters but there are strong rumours reported in The Times that they could legally “empty chair” Cameron and go ahead with the televised debates so long as Cameron’s views are represented.
Cameron is insisting that he will not join the TV debates unless the Green Party is included. The other party leaders are not fooled that the PM has suddenly decided to become the green again – they believe it’s a naked device to sabotage the TV debates, by tying up the broadcasters in interminable red tape.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Farage said: “Looks like Mr Cameron is a chicken running scared over the TV debates.” Miliband said: “This is a Prime Minister who is running scared, trying to chicken out of these TV debates.” Clegg accused the PM of “making excuses”.
As Don Brind wrote for The Week before Christmas, it was a former Blair aide, John McTernan, who first raised the “empty chair” idea last month.
Lord Ashcroft, onetime Tory fund-raiser turned pollster, told Cameron he shouldn’t have taken part in the TV debates in 2010 when Clegg came through as a star and it is understood the new Tory election strategist, Lynton Crosby, has urged him to avoid them in 2015.
The Observer reported in August that Crosby was determined to complicate the negotiations in a bid to prevent Cameron having to appear on TV.
But would the PM be “frit”, as LabourList puts it? Cameron is not afraid of facing Miliband and he knows Clegg’s reputation has been damaged since he gave his bravura performances in 2010.
It is Farage he doesn’t want to give a free platform to: despite the Ukip leader’s constant refrain that his party is draining support from both the Tories and Labour, the reality is that disaffected Tories are Ukip’s key target.
When the BBC's Have I Got News For You "empty-chaired" the lardy Roy Hattersley in 1993, they represented the missing deputy Labour leader with a tub of lard placed on the desk next to Paul Merton. What will be deemed appropriate for an absent Cameron - a tub of chicken pate? Answers on a postcard to Ofcom.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Fallout: one of the 'most faithful – and best – video game adaptations'
The Week Recommends This 'genre-bending' new Amazon series is set in a post-apocalyptic wilderness where survivors shelter below ground
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Test of faith for Trump Media's investors'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Will Iran attack hinder support for Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Pro-Kyiv allies cry 'hypocrisy' and 'double standards' even as the US readies new support package
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Is David Cameron overshadowing Rishi Sunak?
Talking Point Current PM faces 'thorny dilemma' as predecessor enjoys return to world stage
By The Week UK Published
-
How will honeytrap scandal change Westminster?
Today's Big Question Security procedures laid bare by spear phishing attack as focus shifts to 'political insider' being responsible
By The Week UK Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Can Boris Johnson save Rishi Sunak?
Today's Big Question Former PM could 'make the difference' between losing the next election and annihilation
By The Week UK Published
-
Liz Truss and her bid to woo the American far-right
Why Everyone's Talking About Former PM pitching herself as 'bridge in transatlantic conservative movement'
By The Week UK Published
-
Can Cameron put the Falklands sovereignty dispute to bed?
Today's Big Question Foreign secretary says issue 'not up for discussion' ahead of visit amid renewed push from Argentina
By The Week UK Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will America recognize a Palestinian state?
Today's Big Question Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu opposes the move. Some see it as the only route to peace.
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published