‘She wants your votes, not your scrutiny’ Theresa May rules out TV election debates
There might be an election on 8 June but there won’t be any TV election debates after Theresa May ruled out going head to head with Jeremy Corbyn, Nicola Sturgeon, or the Lib Dem guy.
“No 10 is saying there will be no TV debates cluttering up your screens in this election,” reports Channel 4’s Guy Gibbon.
“Rather than go down the route of pretending they’re longing for such things to happen but the logistics might be tricky they’ve gone for a more open approach: forget it.”
Cue a whole heap of fury on Twitter, and not just from Corbyn and Sturgeon.
If this #GeneralElection is about leadership, as Theresa May said this morning, she should not be dodging head-to-head TV debates.
— Jeremy Corbyn MP (@jeremycorbyn) April 18, 2017
Theresa May has 100% ruled out any TV Debates in this Election. Weak. Weak. Weak. Running scared because the Tories have no real policies.
— Eoin Clarke (@LabourEoin) April 18, 2017
If PM doesnt have the confidence to debate her plans on TV with other leaders, broadcasters should empty chair her and go ahead anyway. https://t.co/bOqVIYaBAi
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) April 18, 2017
If Theresa May is too feart to take part in a TV debate then she should be empty-chaired by the broadcasters. Let the others take part.
— Liam O'Hare (@Liam_O_Hare) April 18, 2017
Any debates that don't feature Theresa May should just have a cardboard cutout of her that says "debate means debate". Very representative
— John Shafthauer (@hourlyterrier) April 18, 2017
She wants your votes, not your scrutiny. https://t.co/nfGDqUXIUB
— Plashing Vole (@PlashingVole) April 18, 2017
Calling a #generalelection but refusing to debate in that election only happens when a PM is pursuing autocracy not democracy. #TheresaMay
— Harry Leslie Smith (@Harryslaststand) April 18, 2017
Urge every journalist, every TV station to demand @theresa_may takes part in televised leader debates. Public deserve it. #GeneralElection
— Matt Thomas (@Trickyjabs) April 18, 2017
Hey @jeremycorbyn, @timfarron, @NicolaSturgeon & @LeanneWood. Up for a debate even if the PM chickens out? https://t.co/01K7moyWDv #GE2017
— Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) April 18, 2017
Inevitably there’s a petition to change May’s mind, and given her fondness for U-turns you wouldn’t rule it out. Don’t hold yer breath though.
