PM REFUSES TV DEBATE

TV DEBATEs ahead of elections are still fairly new to the UK and that’s why there is no established convention.

so Theresa May’s refusal to participate in a leaders’ TV debate was no great surprise. It is however, a risk. ITV will hold a debate irrespective of May’s decision and we await announcements from BBC and sky to ascertain whether they will do likewise.

Will the broadcasters “empty-chair” the PM? Will the Conservatives nominate an alternative? Or will Theresa May change her mind?

It is possible that May has made a miscalculation in so nonchalantly saying no.

she is an old-fashioned politician who clearly views TV debates as a vacuous beauty parade but she has to accept she operates in a media era.

Broadcasters – traditional and online – have great power. Before the EU referendum, broadcasters ran rings around the rival campaigns and, ultimately, got exactly what they wanted.

But why does May not want a debate? Because she has nothing to gain and everything to lose. she is a formidable politician with good approval ratings who faces an opponent in Jeremy Corbyn who is the opposite.

If May trounced Corbyn, she would achieve only what is expected and would be unlikely to gain any further bounce.

If Corbyn did well, it would be seen as a massive shock and damaging to the Tories.

That said, there isn’t enough evidence that TV debates make a tangible difference to an election outcome in the UK.

May has calculated that, while she will take plenty stick for refusing to participate, it is unlikely to cost her come June 8.