It would appear that David Cameron has refused to take part in the TV election debates unless the Green candidate, Natalie Bennett, is also allowed to take part. My guess as to why he's done this is that he and his advisors believe that the inclusion of Miss Bennett will serve to split the left-wing vote. The Greens are probably the most left-wing party in British politics, though they evidently appeal more to educated, metropolitan types than to traditional left-wing constituencies such as workers and immigrants. Consequently, if Miss Bennett is allowed to participate, some viewers who would have otherwise voted Labour will vote Green instead, thereby lessening Labour's chances of securing a majority at the next election.
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ReplyDeleteThanks, Sridhar.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right, but it's also typical Cameron 'gesture politics' - he wants to look 'liberal' and 'right on' by including the Greens (remember, he has tried to make the Conservatives a 'green' party). Also by including the Greens he hopes to dilute the boost to UKIP from being publicly recognised (at last!) as a 'major party'.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree another reason that he did it is to appear principled.
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