Labour challenge Cameron to confirm he’ll attend TV debates

The TV companies have now set the dates for the general election TV debates, but David Cameron is still yet to confirm that he’ll take part in the debates. So today Labour’s General Election Campaign Chair Douglas Alexander has written to Tory Chairman Grant Shapps throwing down the gauntlet to the Tory leader. Here’s the letter in full:

Dear Mr Shapps,

Both you and the Prime Minister have stated recently that you want live television debates between the party leaders to happen.

When you appeared on Sky TV recently, you described the prospect of the debates as “absolutely great”. You added that the Conservative Party was keen to agree debates between the two candidates to be Prime Minister in this election – Ed Miliband and David Cameron – as well as debates with other party leaders. 

You were then asked to clarify if that was a “yes” or a “no” to the debates taking place. You replied, unambiguously, that “it’s a yes”.

In the House of Commons on January 14 this year, the Prime Minister told Mr Miliband: “There are two credible sets of debates; you can either have a debate with all the national parties who appear in this House or you can have between the two people who’d become Prime Minister. Those are the credible debates.”

You will now be aware that broadcasters have today decided –  after the drawing of lots – that the head-to-head leaders’ debate between Mr Cameron and Mr Miliband will take place on April 30,  just seven days before the General Election.

In the light of the previous comments from yourself and Mr Cameron, I am sure you will agree this is a “credible debate” and an excellent opportunity for the British people to watch the two leaders who stand a realistic chance of being Prime Minister after May 7.

I am happy to confirm on Mr Miliband’s behalf that he will turn up to debate Mr Cameron on April 30.

Can you today confirm that Mr Cameron will be there too?

Failure to answer this question will lead many to conclude that you and Mr Cameron are reluctant to give the British people the chance to make up their own minds.

The broadcasters have set the date. The invitation is in the post. The only question remaining is whether David Cameron is willing to go head-to-head with Ed Miliband.

Yours,

Douglas Alexander