Why I won't be watching the TV Debate Tonight

Today's the day that all the media hype about the Party Leader debates comes to a head, as the first one is Televised tonight on ITV (from Manchester no less). Given the pre-publicity it may well attract a large number of viewers - I won't be one of them.
There are two reasons for this:

- one is that I will be at a meeting with fellow Greens promoting our own campaigners here in Manchester

- the other is that I do not consider this a fair and appropriate debate, and I do not want to encourage it.

The ideas comes from the USA (like so many things) and it may be more suitable for a presidential debate but we do not have a President. Our constitution for what its worth effectively gives us 650 mini-presidential elections, including one here in Withington constituency. To date there are 7 candidates declared for Withington, all of whom should have in theory an equal chance; these 'Leader debates' straight away discriminate against 4 of those candidates.

The debates will be tightly controlled - no less than 78 restrictions have been placed by the Three Main Party machines on what can and can't happen, and audience participation is being kept to a minimum. Three impeccably groomed white males behind their lecterns giving us a half-hearted political equivalent of X-Factor.
The focus will be on things like appearance, body language, and possible gaffes; it is part of the elevation of personality over policy, and I do not see it as the solution to re-engaging the public with politics.

There are in contrast some opportunities coming up for people in Manchester to engage live with their potential representatives:-

Hustings Events

Sat 17th April Central Hall Oldham St. 2 pm Stop tthe War + CND have organised hustings for candidates in Manchester to answer questions on Afghanistan, Trident, Gaza, Islamophobia and Civil Liberties - I will be representing the Green Party at this - see here for more information

Tues 20th April, Friends Meeting House, 7 pm The Council and Climate Change - what next? Hear what candidates for the local elections for Manchester City Council have to say about climate change and what is/should be done in Manchester. My fellow candidate Gayle O'Donovan will be speaking for the Green Party - more information here

Thurs 22nd April, Hough End Centre Mauldeth Road West, 7.30 pm Public Hustings featuring all the Withington constituency candidates, organised by Unlock Democracy and Power 2010 - more details to follow.