News Coverage Tory Leadership Race - News Coverage

[TMD_24]

Even if it is just a modified version of an existing set, they will have spent time paying SPS to put the set in, light it and rehearse which otherwise wouldn't have happened.

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According to Sky, Sunak's team are keen to do a further debate if they are in the final two, but Truss' team are not willing to do any further debates. Interesting to see how it pans out as we go into the membership vote.

So who was due to be the host for Sky?

Kay Burley was due to be the moderator for the debate.

[Markymark]

They’re scared of Kay?

No, more likely scared of each other !

[This is UTV]

This Is UTV must be very happy with one aspect of the (very good) pres...

Please elaborate....I wasn't watching.

[Inspector Sands]

They’re scared of Kay?

No, more likely scared of each other !

and scared of the damage its doing their party. Their political rivals are quite enjoying seeing the Conservatives washing their dirty laundry on telly

[scottishtv]

This Is UTV must be very happy with one aspect of the (very good) pres...

Please elaborate....I wasn't watching.

I think the reference is to the presence of STV and UTV logos on the screens in the studio:



That said, the titles only included the ITV logo and all the scripts referred to it as "The ITV Debate".



Finally, viewers of the YouTube stream were treated to a (rather basic) VT clock during the commercial break:



You can watch it count down below - just press play, it should be at the right place:

https://youtu.be/JL2GPPuxjn4?t=1770

[telebox2001]

I was! Unusual to see UTV logos these days - even when there was separate pres.

[Steve in Pudsey]

How to these debates work from a balance perspective? You've got one party getting an hour's prime time Party Political Broadcast, that doesn't seem to square with the rules on undue prominence

[Brekkie]

I think the feeling is they've ended up being PPBs for the other parties, hence why tomorrow's has been pulled.

[Inspector Sands]

I think the feeling is they've ended up being PPBs for the other parties, hence why tomorrow's has been pulled.

Yes, by having an hour on TV every night to through mud around they're helping the other parties. 

It's all pretty pointless anyway, so few of those watching have any say about the outcome.

[Humphrey Hacker]

I would have thought there was a legal requirement for the debates to go ahead.

[Brekkie]

Not at all - there is nothing in law about debates for a political party to select their leader, and the General Election Debates are not a legal requirement either. There was an attempt to make that the case but don't think it got anywhere and don't think it ever would as generally speaking it's the incumbant government that has most to lose by agreeing to them.

[telebox2001]

It all stemmed from the 2010 election. The initial idea was that Cameron and Brown would slug it out on telly. But then Nick Clegg - understandably - wanted in, and it all kind of snowballed from there.

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How to these debates work from a balance perspective? You've got one party getting an hour's prime time Party Political Broadcast, that doesn't seem to square with the rules on undue prominence

The argument, I assume, is that because the process being conducted is to select the next PM, it's in the public interest.

Also, it fills an hour cheaply.

[Markymark]

I would have thought there was a legal requirement for the debates to go ahead.

Not at all,  the whole idea (in the UK) is just the spawn of the media Westminster bubble the politicians and media live in,  there's nothing about them in the UK's unwritten constitution

[Humphrey Hacker]

Maybe Sky should have had 2 empty podiums or “done a hattersley” with two packs of lard!

Seriously though it reminds me of ABC Australia:

“TDT was renowned for its hard-hitting interviews, a craft brought to a high degree of perfection by Carlton and Negus; the program subjected Australian politicians to a novel degree of questioning and raised the hackles of politicians on both sides who were unused to being placed under such scrutiny. It also broke new ground with its famous "empty chair" tactic, naming politicians who had declined to appear on the show and showing the empty chair where an absent invitee was supposed to be seated.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_Day_Tonight

[RR]

Maybe Sky should have had 2 empty podiums or “done a hattersley” with two packs of lard!

(I realize you weren't serious) - the debate was between the final three - if two pull out, it leaves a "debate" with one participant.