Yes, there is wriggle room in what has been said today regarding the debates, you and Andrew Sparrow have pointed this out - and thanks for bringing that up. But Ed Miliband has all the way along said that he will debate anyone, any time, anywhere.SpinningHugo wrote:there are two get outs. Miliband says he wants
(i) a head to head debate
and
(ii) a seven way debate
Without Cameron, there will be neither.
So no, he won't be attending any debates with other leaders if Cameron is not present.
If he pulls out now because David Cameron is not taking part in the debates, what message does that send out? That he's just the same? That plays more into the hands of UKIP, Green, etc surely, than debating them does? And it will piss off some Labour voters who thought he was different and possibly make some party members rethink why they are out campaigning for him. For the activists here, if Ed pulls out of the debates due to the non-show of Dave, would your view of Ed change?
I can see why, in the 'politics as a game' view, pulling out of the debates would be a smart move, but we have suffered 5 years of a Prime Minister and Chancellor who see politics as a game. I hope (and believe) Ed is bigger and better than that.