It's an odd way to run a campaign, when you think about it. During a general election campaign, the party leaders answer hundreds of questions from the public and from journalists - but never from each other. Michael Howard and Charles Kennedy are willing to take part in a debate between the party leaders, and the Electoral Commission would welcome one. Tony Blair isn't, as he reiterated this morning. "The essence of the campaign is to focus on the issues and the policy," the PM said.
Alastair Campbell set out his objections in more detail in an article for the Times in January. Firstly, he argued, presidential-style debates are for would-be presidents, not the election of a party and a government. Secondly, a well-known presenter like Jeremy Paxman would end up dominating the debate. Thirdly, the broadcasters were incapable of negotiating one without spinning the story to the government's disadvantage. The Electoral Commission says it is happy to facilitate a debate, but it has "no remit or powers to secure agreement between party leaders and broadcasters". The result has been stalemate.
And there are other reasons why Labour opposes a debate in this campaign. Mindful that the electorate are warming to Gordon Brown, the PM has taken every opportunity to push his colleagues forward. Since he has already said he won't fight the next election, the media would clamour for the chancellor to take part - and that would be an intolerable blow to Mr Blair's authority.
Incidentally, Paxman is interviewing the party leaders individually on BBC1 this week. Charles Kennedy goes first at 7.30pm tonight.
