I’m against the TV leaders’ debates.
I need to start this by saying I am sure the part leaders TV debates will be very interesting. I will watch them and probably crack out some popcorn. But the truth is I do not think they will be good or healthy for our democracy.
The problem is that the TV debates will inevitably lead to a “dumbing down” of politics to the basic sound bite slogan level. Further people will, even more than they do now, make judgements based on appearances. Famously in the 1960 US presidential election John F Kennedy and Richard Nixon engaged in one of the first TV Debates.
Now the interesting thing is those listening to the Radio felt Nixon had “won”, whilst those who could look at their appearances (rather than just hearing what they were actually saying) preferred JFK. Surely in an important election we want it to be about the substantive issues rather than about the way people look?
Talking about the US Presidential debates beings me onto another point. In America they have a direct election (well sort of!) for the executive, people vote for the President. In the UK though we have a different system, we are voting for our local legislators, local MPs and not directly for Parties or Party leaders.
Now I personally think there should be big changes to our system, and a separation of the Legislature and the Executive could well be a good thing. But insofar as that has not yet happened then it is my view that these TV debates will further distort our political process.
I just cannot help thinking that these debates are principally for the benefit of the TV networks rather than in the interests of healthy democracy.
I sincerely hope I am proven wrong tonight, I hope it is a fascinating and detailed political debate which focus’ on the issues and not the way the leaders look…. Fingers crossed.
