Broadcasters have threatened to “empty chair” any political party leader who refuses to take part in live televised debates planned for the UK general election campaign.
In a joint statement, the four major broadcasters confirmed plans for a 7-7-2 format, under which two debates hosted by BBC and ITV would feature the leaders of Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats, Ukip, the Greens, Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru, and a third on Channel 4 and Sky would pit David Cameron against Ed Miliband in a head-to-head clash of the two men most likely to emerge as prime minister.
The broadcasters said that, if any of the leaders decide not to participate, “the debates would take place with those who accepted the invitation”.
That raises the prospect of a vacant podium – or “empty chair” – if any of the leaders refuse to participate in the programme.
BBC director general Lord Hall said: “There’s nothing in any of our guidelines that says you can’t empty chair anybody in any debate.”
In an interview with the Radio Times he added: “You have always got to do what is right on behalf of the people who pay for you.”
Proposed dates for the debates are April 2, 16 and 30 – with the final clash coming exactly a week ahead of the May 7 poll.
TV executives previously suggested three debates: one head-to-head between Cameron and Miliband, another also involving Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, and a third with Ukip’s Nigel Farage thrown into the mix.
The change appears designed to overcome David Cameron’s refusal to take part in any debate that included Farage but not Natalie Bennett of the Green Party – and to reflect a significant public campaign for the inclusion of the environmentalist party, as well as protests from the nationalist parties at their exclusion.
Following talks spanning three months with the main parties, the broadcasters have now issued formal invitations to the leaders to take part.
The empty-chair threat will increase pressure on leaders to participate in the televised showdowns, which were first staged in the 2010 general election campaign. It has traditionally been seen as strategically advisable for incumbent prime ministers to avoid TV debates with their rivals, which were considered to favour challengers.