According to the Observer, Ed Miliband has promised that he will legislate to ensure that live television debates become permanent features of general election campaigns. In this way he hopes to prevent politicians blocking them for their own self-interest. Something tells me that he has not thought this through.
The first question is why do Labour think that this sort of legislation is more important than laws to reform housing, the health service, tackle tax dodging or a whole range of other issues that matter to people?
The second, is does he really believe that this will win him votes? Most people will switch over to the football or Eastenders, or go to the pub. Nobody wants a government to legislate to fill their television screen with squabbling politicians.
Third is the detail. Who will he legislate to take part in these debates? Will he include the DUP, UUP, Alliance Party and Sinn Fein, all of whom have MPs but are currently excluded from broadcasters' plans? And what happens if the sitting Prime Minister refuses to play ball? Will he be thrown in prison? That is hardly the democratic, libertarian state we all live in and cherish.
This proposal is nonsense. It is transparent nonsense. And Miliband knows it is nonsense. He is making himself look foolish and self-serving. Whoever is advising him on this needs to calm down a bit.
Welsh Liberal Democrats Councillor for Cwmbwrla Ward, City and County of Swansea - Please buy my novels at Author Page
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Sunday, March 08, 2015
1 comment:
I am happy to address most contributions, even the drunken ones if they are coherent, but I am not going to engage with negative sniping from those who do not have the guts to add their names or a consistent on-line identity to their comments. Such postings will not be published.
Anonymous comments with a constructive contribution to make to the discussion, even if it is critical will continue to be posted. Libellous comments or remarks I think may be libellous will not be published.
I will also not tolerate personation so please do not add comments in the name of real people unless you are that person. If you do not like these rules then start your own blog.
Oh, and if you persist in repeating yourself despite the fact I have addressed your point I may get bored and reject your comment.
The views expressed in comments are those of the poster, not me.
smells of state-ism
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