‘Make Debates Happen’ Sky News calls for Leaders’ Debate Commission

Make Debates Happen Sky News

Sky News is campaigning for an independent commission to organise the running of televised general election debates between the leaders of Britain’s main parties.

Sign the petition here

John Ryley, Head of Sky News, says: “This is all about doing what‘s best for the voting public.”

The cause was brought into the public eye nine years ago when Sky News successfully lobbied for televised leadership debates ahead of the 2010 general election. Since that first debate, broadcasters and politicians have failed to agree on terms and deliver real head-to-head debates.

Sky News believes that, for the benefit of voters, there must be urgent action in taking the decision-making process out of the hands of politicians and for it to be agreed outside of any election campaign.

The Leaders’ Debate Commission (LDC) would set the format and rules of the debates, handle moderation, outline criteria for political party participation, ensure the objectivity of audiences and steer the negotiations between broadcasters and parties.

John added: “Sky News along with the other broadcasters changed the political landscape in this country by creating the first leaders’ debates eight years ago. Sadly it stands as an exception rather than the watershed it should have been.

“Political manoeuvring and failings by the broadcasters has allowed that momentum to be lost. Sky News believes an independent commission should set the terms for debates in future, to inform and engage the voting public with a head-to-head debate between the two political leaders battling it out for Number 10.”

Senior politicians like Sir Nick Clegg and Amber Rudd are backing Sky’s campaign after party leaders avoided head-to-head TV debates in 2015 and 2017.

In 2015 there was one seven-way debate with David Cameron, Labour’s Ed Miliband and the leaders of smaller parties; and last year Theresa May refused to debate with Jeremy Corbyn and her place was taken in one TV debate by then-home secretary Amber Rudd.

Sir Vince Cable, leader of the Liberal Democrat told Sky News: “It’s very much to the credit of Sky News that they’ve come up with this proposal.

“We had a very unsatisfactory position at the last election that Theresa May wouldn’t participate in leadership debates.

“On the previous occasion, in 2010 for example, there were leadership debates. And they energised the whole election campaign.

“But it’s surely right that the ground rules should be decided in a non-political independent environment of the kind [Sky] suggest.

“We should now be putting this structure in place so there isn’t argy-bargy a few weeks before the next general election.”

Sky News has written to the leaders of all the main parties.

Posted by on Monday 17 September 2018
Posted in
The Daily Climate Show Sky News Presentation

Sky News aired its final Climate Show this weekend. Presenter Tom Heap said at the end of this week’s programme:

Wilfred Frost Sky News

Sky News presenter Wilf Frost is heading back to CNBC. He’ll return to New York City for 4 weeks per

Friday Night with Niall Paterson Sky News Promo

Friday Night with Niall Paterson has been cancelled for this week following the news that Catherine, Princess of Wales, is