Petition the BBC to televise a debate between the party leaders

Created by Ralph Buckle on 31/07/2009

Category: Politics
Region: All
Target: BBC Trust

We the undersigned recognise that a televised debate between the leaders of the three major national parties of the UK would benefit our democracy and encourage further transparency and openness in politics.

As such we petition the BBC to set up and broadcast such a debate in similar style to the ones held between Presidential candidates in the USA.

The leaders of the Labour Party, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats should be invited to take part. It should be held in weeks prior a General Election so as to give the public a chance to examine the arguments for and against the policies of the above mentioned parties.

We also suggest that, providing at least two of the leaders at the time of the debate agree to take part, the debate should go ahead. If one of them chooses not to then it will be entirely their decision and should not prevent the other two from facing the scrutiny of each other and the public.

This petition is signed in accordance with the Royal Charter for the BBC which establishes the role of the BBC trust as follows:

"setting the overall strategic direction of the BBC, including its priorities, and in exercising a general oversight of the work of the Executive Board. The Trust will perform these roles in the public interest, particularly the interest of licence fee payers"

This petition will be sent to the BBC Trust in 9 months time (April 31st) or as soon as a General Election is declared should this happen before this date.