We have lift off
Jeremy Corbyn agreed to a TV debate with prime minister Theresa May on her government’s handling of Brexit.
The Labour leader previously said he preferred the discussion to be hosted by ITV but would cede to May’s choice, the BBC. Although he caveated that acceptance on condition the programme only featured head-on-head debate.
Corbyn originally cited the I’m A Celeb final, which broadcasts on the same day December 9, and that ITV’s earlier scheduled time to start at 7pm would allow him to watch who is crowned king or queen of the jungle. He also argued for a simple one-on-one format.
The BBC’s offer featured some of that, but also questions from a panel of commentators and politicians.
. @theresa_may said she wanted a head to head debate with me on her botched Brexit deal and I am ready to do that. @ITV have a straightforward plan. If she and her team prefer @BBC, she should join me in asking them to arrange an actual head-to-head debate.
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) December 1, 2018
Corbyn said: “Theresa May said she wanted a head-to-head debate with me on her botched Brexit deal and I am ready to do that.
“ITV have a straightforward plan. If she and her team prefer BBC, she should join me in asking them to arrange an actual head-to-head debate.”
In the wake of these remarks the BBC responded: “Our proposal is to broadcast a programme which includes both a head-to-head debate between the prime minister and the leader of the opposition and also an opportunity to hear from a wider range of voices.
“After all, a broad range of views on this issue is held by the public and by parliamentarians – from those who want a different form of Brexit to those who want another public vote – and we believe that should be reflected in the debate.”
