The reputation of TV debates, which are vital to our democracy, have taken another battering during this Tory leadership contest - but Thursday is an opportunity to re-establish their unshowy usefulness, writes Sky News commentator adamboultonTABB
That is why, these days, the politicians like unfocused multi-headed beauty contests and shy away from concentrated three or two person debates, let alone extended one-on-one interviews with the main candidates.
The parties and the broadcasters here agreed 76 rules on how debates should be conducted. Many of them were about restricting the role of the moderators. We were mandated to remain at some distance from the debaters. We were not allowed to ask questions. The Lib Dems even complained when I asked a follow-up clarification but were unsuccessful because that was permitted.Viewers hardly saw Alastair Stewart, moderator of the first ever debate, by ITV .
The choreography of debates is technical but it matters because it sets the mood. The BBC Question Time format for example puts the politicians in a pit, outnumbered and at the mercy of the audience. Fair enough for an entertainment show but not appropriate for a debate where future prime ministers are challenging each other to explain themselves. Sky's policy is to ask the audience to behave respectfully towards the politicians at all times.
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