Theresa May is likely to take part in a question and answer session in front a television audience before the general election after she was heavily criticised by her opponents for refusing to debate with them.
The Prime Minister formally ruled out taking part in televised head-to-head debates before the June 8 general election in a BBC interview today.
She said: “We won’t be doing television debates. I believe in campaigns where politicians actually get out and about and meet with voters.
“That’s what I have always believed in, it’s what I still believe and I still do it – as Prime Minister, as a constituency MP, I still go out and knock on doors in my constituency.
“That’s what I believe in doing, that’s what I’m going to be doing around this campaign.”
Mrs May’s aides made clear that she is not against taking part in a “longform television programme” when she answers questions in front of a live studio audience.
Her predecessor David Cameron agreed to be questioned in front of a BBC Questiontime-style audience at the 2015 general election.
The change of tack came after Mrs May coming under fire from the other party leaders at Prime Minister’s Questions.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn told her: “She says it’s about leadership, yet is refusing to defend her record in television debates and it’s not hard to see why.”
Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron accused Mrs May of “bottling” and said broadcasters had a “moral duty” to go ahead with the showdowns even if she fails to take part.
Theresa May is likely to take part in a question and answer session in front a television audience.
(NB) Questions will be cherry picked first, so she can have a pre scripted answer ready.
No questions that are out of the script will be allowed…a bit like Question time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“She said: “We won’t be doing television debates. I believe in campaigns where politicians actually get out and about and meet with voters.”
Anyone would think she was out and about, knocking on doors on the local council estate. She was actually in a locked church in Bolton with a small bunch of sycophants.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Meet with voters but not talking to them…
LikeLike
Arrived by helicopter – to avoid the rotten tamaytoes – looked around and saw an absence of delight, took fright, then left by same.
LikeLike