Why won't Theresa May take part in a TV debate?

[blake]

A total no-brainer for May not to want a televised debate.

 

Debates only benefit outsiders, and May is not an outsider, to win this election. She's the overwhelming, odds-on favourite.

 

John Major, miles behind in the polls, wanted a televised debate in 1997. Tony Blair, despite being the younger, more telegenic candidate, and miles ahead in the polls anyway, knew it couldn't possibly benefit him, so he told Major to stuff it. And kept telling the Tories to stuff it as he continued to win elections easily.

 

2010 comes round and Brown is miles behind this time. So Brown suggests a debate. Cameron, in a similar situation to Blair was in 1997, agrees.

 

This was a mistake. The 2010 debates didn't do anything for Cameron. In fact, he might have got a majority had they not happened.

 

Winners don't want to debate. And that's why May doesn't want one. She's going to win.

[Lockdoctor]

A total no-brainer for May not to want a televised debate.

 

Debates only benefit outsiders, and May is not an outsider, to win this election. She's the overwhelming, odds-on favourite.

 

John Major, miles behind in the polls, wanted a televised debate in 1997. Tony Blair, despite being the younger, more telegenic candidate, and miles ahead in the polls anyway, knew it couldn't possibly benefit him, so he told Major to stuff it. And kept telling the Tories to stuff it as he continued to win elections easily.

 

2010 comes round and Brown is miles behind this time. So Brown suggests a debate. Cameron, in a similar situation to Blair was in 1997, agrees.

This was a mistake. The 2010 debates didn't do anything for Cameron. In fact, he might have got a majority had they not happened.

 

Winners don't want to debate. And that's why May doesn't want one. She's going to win.

The debate blessed David Cameron with Nick Clegg as his deputy. You are correct, it was a mistake for Cameron to take part.

[Hairyloon]

In short, the answer is because she puts herself above the country.

[Lockdoctor]

In short, the answer is because she puts herself above the country.

At this moment in time, I can't see any other result than an increased Tory majority, to be in the country's best interest.

 

After the election, Labour will have five years to become a credible alternative to the Tory's.

[Jacktari]

A total no-brainer for May not to want a televised debate.

 

Debates only benefit outsiders, and May is not an outsider, to win this election. She's the overwhelming, odds-on favourite.

 

Winners don't want to debate. And that's why May doesn't want one. She's going to win.

 

And that is where our problem lays.

I never thought I would say this, but at least Thatcher had standards.

She thought her mindless destruction was a good thing for the country.

 

May is a turncoat, and blows with the wind.

She is not to be trusted. She is about as patriotic as William Joyce.

[Hairyloon]

At this moment in time, I can't see any other result than an increased Tory majority, to be in the country's best interest...

 

We have Sophie's choice. This is not democracy.

[Anna B]

The answer is fairly straight forward and basic tactics.

The Tories have a big lead in the polls, therefore there is nothing to gain and everything to lose.

 

I'm not sure where this obsession with debates has come from, it was never even a thing a few years ago.

?

 

No, but things change.

 

I think we have a right to see how politicians handle themselves in difficult situations where they have to think on their feet and don't have an autocue or script writer doing it for them. Although you can bet they will have been well briefed and rehearsed.

 

Anyone putting themselves up for public office should expect to be 'interviewed' by the people they wish to represent, rather than be protected from them inside a media safe bubble.

[Hairyloon]

I think we have a right to see how politicians handle themselves in difficult situations where they have to think on their feet and don't have an autocue or script writer doing it for them...

 

But these are not the qualities that we really need.

Do we want a PM who can come back quickly with a clever sounding response that doesn't actually address the question, or do we want one that gives a proper answer even if not right away.

It is the same problem at PMQ: we should have a proper mechanism to oblige them to come back with proper answers.

[unbeliever]

None of you last 3 posters were going to vote for May anyway.

[El Cid]

hardly ducking it as they have pm questions weekly? it would serve no purpose apart from a media love in, she has far more important things to do with her time right now.

 

Is she going to play golf with Trump? If he still finds time for leisure, surely being our PM is not a 60 hour week.