UKIP's Farage should not take part in TV election debates, says PM

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David Cameron has dismissed calls for UKIP leader Nigel Farage to be allowed to take part in the leaders' debates at the next general election, due in 2015.

The PM told The House magazine only parties "that are going to form the government" should be included.

Mr Farage once accused Mr Cameron of being "weak" and suggested he was not "grown up and sensible" enough.

But the PM has previously described the eurosceptic party as containing "loonies and closet racists".

Mr Cameron said in an interview: "Obviously, we have to decide on this nearer the time, but the TV debates should be about, you know, the parties that are going to form the government, in my view."

Some recent polls have placed UKIP, which wants the UK to leave the EU, in third place ahead of the Liberal Democrats.

'Scared'
Mr Farage said: "If UKIP's share of the opinion polls were to continue as they are now, to exclude us from the debates when the Lib Dems were included last time would make British politics look as outdated as the closed shop and embarrassingly out of touch.

"If he wants to restrict it to those parties who are likely to form the next government, he'd better not be booking studio time himself with confidence."

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-21066558

Mr Cameron is clearly delusional if he believes that UKIP should be left out and both the Tories and Lib Dems included. This is precisely what the Americans have achieved with their system, now only Democrat and Republican candidates in America get to do televised debates, independents instead excluded altogether (Along with any other parties, if they were to exist). If this is the system Mr Cameron wants then Mr Cameron is not a PM we should have.

Personally I think all parties should be included (not just UKIP but the other minority parties as well) so that we can have a more informed choice of the alternatives that are out there. It's just a self-fulfulling prophecy otherwise. We'll have the parties that will form the government so only they get the coverage so only they form the government. It's nonsense!

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Originally Posted by Inseriousity.

Personally I think all parties should be included (not just UKIP but the other minority parties as well) so that we can have a more informed choice of the alternatives that are out there. It's just a self-fulfulling prophecy otherwise. We'll have the parties that will form the government so only they get the coverage so only they form the government. It's nonsense!

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Unfortunately you do have to draw a line somewhere, otherwise you'd end up with a 100 different people in the debate. But something like a polling 1% minimum makes sense in my opinion.

Mr. Cameron is the best recruiting agent UKIP could have ever hoped for, everytime he opens his mouth with either an insult or a dismissal - it both solidifys UKIP supporters and voters, raises the morale of members and turns even more people over to supporting the party. You know, for a man who was previously a public relations man, you'd expect Cameron to be a lot more aware of just how helpful his comments are.

As for the debates, either outcome helps UKIP and damages the other three - if they exclude UKIP, then again it'll only turn more people over to supporting them in a 'to hell with the others' attitude along with generating good media stories for the party in how it's been excluded yet the Liberal Democrats (polling the same) have been included. If Farage is included, then we all know he'll run rings around Cameron, Miliband and Clegg - so no matter what the outcome, it's a win-win for UKIP.

I'd also add the video of Farage's QT appearance last night (full programme on BBC iPlayer), and you can see why all three of them are terrified at the thought of having to include him in their non-debate. I thought the man at the back of the audience had it right, that both the Government and Opposition were arguing... despite the fact they practically agree.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbAE6P9la-s

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Originally Posted by Inseriousity.

Personally I think all parties should be included (not just UKIP but the other minority parties as well) so that we can have a more informed choice of the alternatives that are out there. It's just a self-fulfulling prophecy otherwise. We'll have the parties that will form the government so only they get the coverage so only they form the government. It's nonsense!

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Agreed 100% and with Chippiewill's comparison to what is best described as the US 'two parties but one party state' system.

He's scared because it's the third more popular party as far as votes/opinions go. If UKIP are not allowed to be involved, then neither should the Lib Dems - it should just be Labour and Conservative - which will mean the Tories will lose any debate.

UKIP has to be involved in any election debates, including televised ones. Especially now that independence and the EU are hot topics at the moment.