We Need A Televised National Debate... And We Need Local Debates As Well

Lord Mandelson teased us all this week with the prospect of a televised debate between the Party leaders. Such a debate HAS to happen. Anybody who argues against such a debate is treating the British public with disrespect.

Televised debates are a pivotal feature of elections in most other democracies. They should be introduced in this democracy as well, as part of a suite of reforms designed to reinvigorate politics and bring democracy closer to the people.

I find it impossible to understand how anybody, other than journalists or Labour party hacks worried that their man might be outclassed,
could oppose a prime time televised debate. Anything that makes politics more open and brings democracy closer to the people that the politicians are serving has to be a good thing.

That is why we need a televised debate. That is also why I would like my Labour and Liberal rivals to agree to debates across North Durham in the run up to the election. So we can take politics away from the establishment and give it back to the people, giving them the chance to listen to those who aspire to serve them, their ideas and their vision for the future of North Durham.