May ‘considering range of TV formats’ for election bid but rules out head-to-head debate

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The Prime Minister will not participate in a head-to-head debate but has not written off using a televised appearance to boost her support before the vote in June, according to Sky News.

In a BBC interview on Wednesday, Mrs May said: "We won't be doing television debates. I believe in campaigns where politicians actually get out and about and meet with voters.

We think it is very much in their interest that peak time debates go ahead

"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."

ITV has vowed to go ahead with plans for a television debate while BBC have not ruled out a live debate before the June 8 vote.

A spokesman for ITV said: “ITV will hold a Leaders’ debate as we did in 2010 and 2015. We will announce more details in due course.”

Meanwhile Jonathan Munro, the BBC’s Head of Newsgathering, said he did “not want to get in a position where any party leader stops us doing a programme that we think is in the public

interest”.

Mr Munro told The Daily Telegraph: “There is a proven track record over two elections and two referendums that debates reach huge audiences including a lot of young people who don’t watch

conventional political coverage in great numbers.

“We think it is very much in their interest that peak time debates go ahead. In 2010 and 2015 the number of young and first time voters going to the polls was up on previous elections.

“We believe there was a relationship between that and the audience the debates pulled in. It helps engagement with hard to reach audiences.”

The Prime Minister’s comments have been heavily criticised by her opponents, with some urging broadcasters to “empty chair her” if she refuses to take part.

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon said: “If the PM doesn’t have the confidence to debate her plans on TV with other leaders, broadcasters should empty chair her and go ahead anyway.”

Meanwhile, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: “Elections and democracy are about public debate.

“So it’s rather strange that only a couple of hours after calling for a general election, the Prime Minister is saying she’s not going to take part in TV debates.

“Well, I say to Theresa May, who said this election was about leadership, come on and show some.

“Let’s have the debates. It’s what democracy needs and the British people deserve.”

Lib Dem leader Tim Farron did not hold back either, suggesting the debates go ahead without her.

He said: “The British people deserve to hear party leaders set out their plans and debate them publicly.

"The Prime Minister and I, back in 1992, debated publicly, forcibly and amicably when we were both candidates together.

“Indeed, the Prime Minister called out the then incumbent who did not show up for some of those debates.

“Why will she not publicly debate these issues now - what is she scared of?”

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