What's Cameron's game with the TV debates?

[d000hg]

BBC News - Election 2015: Cameron agrees to just one TV debate

I could see his point with earlier complaints but isn't he risking alienation and looking scared?

I wonder what his real reasons are - genuinely doesn't want to 'waste' the time, genuinely has a moral objection, or is worried he will look bad? Surely he can at least hold his own in a debate after all those years doing PMQ and so on...

Anyone got a theory that makes sense?

[minestrone]

They will be a farce, complete feck up inviting everyone along. He is doing the absolute minimum necessary which is a wise move and it gives the impression that he is in charge.

[d000hg]

They will be a farce, complete feck up inviting everyone along.

That's as may be but...

He is doing the absolute minimum necessary which is a wise move and it gives the impression that he is in charge.

Isn't he playing a risky game? Younger voters especially are likely to see it as elitist and "another example of politicians ignoring the public".

And also, why drop out of the 1-2-1 debate with Milliband? That's the only one which could be a proper debate.

[Unix]

He looks like a total coward, this is a major screw-up by him or whoever advised him.

[RoastedSlopes]

He is scared I am sure.

Based on the Nick Clegg bounce he received after the last live TV debates, he is I am sure scared of how this will affect him and his party. He also wants these before major election campaigning starts so that he has time to mitigate any 'bad' reviews.

IMO of course

[tractor]

...

I don't know what game he is playing, I suspect he just wants to call the tune so he wants to make the broadcasters court him then the debates are on his own terms.

The broadcasters have had their answer and if I were them, I would say to him 'thanks but no thanks', cut all dialog with him now and play him at his own game.

Then see how quick he is to queue up to debate. Then exclude him

[VectraMan]

It is all a bit weird. A seven way debate is just going to be bizarre; nobody will be able to remember what anybody said. I could understand if he said he'd only take part in Cameron vs Milliband, as that's the only contest that matters, and as said he does that all the time in PMQ's anyway so can hardly be accused of being scared of a lightweight like Milliband.

[SimonMac]

Stall it long enough and then try and say well I was willing to participate

[d000hg]

He could spend all his time complimenting the Green and SNP policies as a way to split Labour votes.

[VectraMan]

He could spend all his time complimenting the Green and SNP policies as a way to split Labour votes.

And Milliband will do the same with UKIP.