Nick Clegg says he hopes that broadcasters should develop a 'backbone' when it comes to the planned TV election debates and David Cameron.
Nick Clegg
The TV channels have come together to propose a plan of three debate - one between Cameron and Ed Miliband, a second that would involve Clegg, and a third with Nigel Frage - however, Cameron has thrown these plans into disarray after saying he would only take part in the Green Party's leader Natalie Bennett was invited to take part.
This announcement by Cameron has led to Miliband and Farage calling him 'chicken' while the Scottish National Party believe that they should also be involved in the debates if UKIP and the Green Party are also set to take part.
It had been suggested that should Cameron choose to not take part in the debates, an empty podium should be placed on the stage to further highlight his absence. The TV debates - which were introduced for the first time during the last general election - are now in the balance with the channels possibly reluctant to go ahead without the inclusion of Cameron.
However, Clegg has called on the broadcasters to grow a 'backbone' and not bow to the demands of Cameron and the Conservatives. Speaking to LBC radio this morning, Clegg said: "This teary-eyed compassion the Conservatives have suddenly discovered for the Green Party is one of the more specious excuses I've seen," he said. "I think David Cameron has put himself in a slightly laughable position."
"I really do hope the broadcasters, I hope they develop a bit of backbone on this, because they shouldn't be bulled by the Conservatives throwing their weight around."
In the previous general election in 2010, the TV debates included Cameron, Clegg and Gordon Brown and saw twenty two million people tune to watch some or all of the broadcasts. The debates were also instrumental to the rise in popularity for Clegg and the Liberal Democrats.
However, over the last couple of years we have seen UKIP grow in popularity and Farage will be involved this time around, as the party is expected to win a number of seats during the general election.
Despite being called 'chicken' and said to be 'running scared' by Miliband and Farage, George Osborne has hit back saying that Cameron is indeed keen to take part in the debates like his did five years ago.
Osborne was on ITV's Good Morning Britain this morning calling for the broadcasters to come up with a plan that is fair to all parties. He said: "David Cameron wants to take part in the TV debates, he has taken part in them before," he said. He has said very clearly the Green Party should be involved if you've got all the parties. He's made it pretty clear that that is what he'd like to see. It's only fair.
"He wants to get the format right. I think most people watching this say 'We'll either watch all the parties taking part in this debate, or let's have a head-to-head between the two people who could be Prime Minister, David Cameron and Ed Miliband'.
"The broadcasters, they seem to have come up with neither of those plans. We're just saying come up with a good plan, of course we want to take part.
It still remains up in the air as to whether these television debates will go ahead, but I am keen to see more that the major four parties battle it out on live television. The likes of the Green party don't get that much television time compared to Labour, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and UKIP and it is only fair that we hear what they and other smaller parties have to say.
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