Make the Government More Directly Accountable by Introducing an Annual TV Debate

Rejected 14 signatures

What the petition asks

An annual TV debate with all major parties is the perfect tool to tackle dangerous levels of political apathy.

It would enable the public to be well informed on current issues and allow the arguments of the government and opposition to be tested without grandstanding or the help of a media slant.

Recent research from the University of Leeds showed TV debates in April had an "overwhelmingly positive effect on voter engagement" and increased viewers' interest in politics by 30%.

With the pantomime of PMQs as the current method of enforcing government accountability, it is time for a more direct and accessible alternative, and one that has been shown to be effective: an open and mature televised debate.

Mass political engagement empowers our democracy; the government should remember this.

Why it was rejected

It asked for something that is not the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament.

This would be a decision for the broadcasters, not the Government or Parliament. You might like to write directly to the broadcasters to make this suggestion.

Timeline

29 Dec 2015	Petition opened for signatures
13 Jan 2016	Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 14

Status Rejected

Rejected 13 Jan 2016

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