Cameron pledges TV debates if he becomes PM
By Laura Miller
David Cameron has promised to give MPs more chances to quiz him in greater detail about his policies if he becomes prime minister.
An annual televised debate with the opposition leader, and debates between the home secretary, foreign secretary and the chancellor and their shadows are also included in the Tory leader’s package of pledges.
“The infrequent televised questioning of the prime minister by the core select committee chairmen should be extended,” read the letter by Francis Maude, on behalf of the Conservative party.
“The frequency should be increased, and new formats introduced – such as the questioning of the prime minister by opposition leaders in a committee format.”
The letter to the House of Lords communications committee, sent last year, was published today as part of a report criticising the Brown government for its lack of openness.
Currently Gordon Brown gives evidence to the liaison committee just twice a year.
Under the Tory proposals MPs would be allowed to ask detailed questions and the PM would be forced to take a more candid approach to answering them on the spot.
