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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/04/bbc-cancels-plans-for-sunday-night-brexit-debate
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| BBC cancels plans for Sunday night Brexit debate | BBC cancels plans for Sunday night Brexit debate |
| (14 days later) | |
| The BBC has cancelled plans for a televised Brexit debate between Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn on Sunday night after Labour objected to the format. | The BBC has cancelled plans for a televised Brexit debate between Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn on Sunday night after Labour objected to the format. |
| The move, which will allow viewers to watch the scheduled final episode of David Attenborough’s Dynasties programme on BBC One, still leaves open the possibility of a similar debate on ITV this weekend. | The move, which will allow viewers to watch the scheduled final episode of David Attenborough’s Dynasties programme on BBC One, still leaves open the possibility of a similar debate on ITV this weekend. |
| The prime minister proposed the debate on her deal with the EU last week, prompting days of discussions between political parties and the broadcasters over who would host the programme. | The prime minister proposed the debate on her deal with the EU last week, prompting days of discussions between political parties and the broadcasters over who would host the programme. |
| Labour backed a proposal by ITV, which consisted of a simple head-to-head format hosted by Julie Etchingham, while Downing Street preferred the BBC’s offer of a debate featuring a panel of eight experts and representatives of smaller parties. | Labour backed a proposal by ITV, which consisted of a simple head-to-head format hosted by Julie Etchingham, while Downing Street preferred the BBC’s offer of a debate featuring a panel of eight experts and representatives of smaller parties. |
| Until now, none of the broadcasters or political parties was willing to compromise, prompting the farcical situation in which both ITV and BBC were planning for a live television show scheduled to take place in five days in the same timeslot, with no idea whether either of the main guests would turn up. | Until now, none of the broadcasters or political parties was willing to compromise, prompting the farcical situation in which both ITV and BBC were planning for a live television show scheduled to take place in five days in the same timeslot, with no idea whether either of the main guests would turn up. |
| The broadcaster has confirmed it has withdrawn from the process, but ITV is still interested in hosting the debate, meaning the prime minister has the difficult decision of either accepting her rival’s preferred format or appearing to run away from a debate that she proposed. | The broadcaster has confirmed it has withdrawn from the process, but ITV is still interested in hosting the debate, meaning the prime minister has the difficult decision of either accepting her rival’s preferred format or appearing to run away from a debate that she proposed. |
| “We are disappointed that we could not reach an agreement on the BBC’s proposal for a debate on Brexit,” a BBC spokesperson said. “We have been clear throughout the whole of this process that as well as a substantive head-to-head debate, any programme we broadcast would need to include other voices, including other political parties, to reflect the wide range of views the public and parliamentarians hold about Brexit. | “We are disappointed that we could not reach an agreement on the BBC’s proposal for a debate on Brexit,” a BBC spokesperson said. “We have been clear throughout the whole of this process that as well as a substantive head-to-head debate, any programme we broadcast would need to include other voices, including other political parties, to reflect the wide range of views the public and parliamentarians hold about Brexit. |
| “The final proposal we put to both of the main parties was for a head-to-head debate between the prime minister and the leader of the opposition, followed by a discussion between eight panellists, including politicians, with a wide range of views on Brexit, and ending with further head-to-head debate and closing statements. | “The final proposal we put to both of the main parties was for a head-to-head debate between the prime minister and the leader of the opposition, followed by a discussion between eight panellists, including politicians, with a wide range of views on Brexit, and ending with further head-to-head debate and closing statements. |
| “We believe ours was a fair and appropriate format for those taking part and, crucially, for our audiences around the country, and it is a shame we will not be able to bring them this programme.” | “We believe ours was a fair and appropriate format for those taking part and, crucially, for our audiences around the country, and it is a shame we will not be able to bring them this programme.” |
| The BBC instead pledged to produce other programmes on the issue, including a special edition of The One Show on Wednesday night featuring the presenters of its popular Brexitcast podcast. | The BBC instead pledged to produce other programmes on the issue, including a special edition of The One Show on Wednesday night featuring the presenters of its popular Brexitcast podcast. |
| Earlier in the day, Labour said it was not willing to take part in the BBC format but stressed the party was keen for the ITV debate to proceed as planned. | Earlier in the day, Labour said it was not willing to take part in the BBC format but stressed the party was keen for the ITV debate to proceed as planned. |
| “The public has a right to a genuine head-to-head debate on the prime minister’s worst-of-all-worlds deal,” a spokesperson said. “If the prime minister turns down the opportunity of a genuine head-to-head debate, it will be clear she is once again dodging a TV debate with the leader of the opposition on the future of our country.” | “The public has a right to a genuine head-to-head debate on the prime minister’s worst-of-all-worlds deal,” a spokesperson said. “If the prime minister turns down the opportunity of a genuine head-to-head debate, it will be clear she is once again dodging a TV debate with the leader of the opposition on the future of our country.” |
| Downing Street said it was still committed to holding a debate, but wanted ITV to alter its format to include other voices – a move that would make ITV’s programme look more like the abandoned BBC proposal. “Jeremy Corbyn and Labour have done nothing but raise false and flimsy objections to the BBC’s proposal,” said a No 10 spokesperson. | Downing Street said it was still committed to holding a debate, but wanted ITV to alter its format to include other voices – a move that would make ITV’s programme look more like the abandoned BBC proposal. “Jeremy Corbyn and Labour have done nothing but raise false and flimsy objections to the BBC’s proposal,” said a No 10 spokesperson. |
| “There was a sensible and balanced proposal on the table, but Jeremy Corbyn refused to take part. He is running scared of proper scrutiny, but we remain committed to holding a debate and will continue to press for a format that ensures a range of voices are heard alongside a substantial head-to-head.” | “There was a sensible and balanced proposal on the table, but Jeremy Corbyn refused to take part. He is running scared of proper scrutiny, but we remain committed to holding a debate and will continue to press for a format that ensures a range of voices are heard alongside a substantial head-to-head.” |
| If the ITV debate goes ahead, it is likely to take place at 7pm on Sunday night. This would disappoint viewers looking forward to a special celebrity edition of the The Chase gameshow featuring the athlete Jonnie Peacock and TV doctor Pixie McKenna, which is scheduled for that time slot. | If the ITV debate goes ahead, it is likely to take place at 7pm on Sunday night. This would disappoint viewers looking forward to a special celebrity edition of the The Chase gameshow featuring the athlete Jonnie Peacock and TV doctor Pixie McKenna, which is scheduled for that time slot. |
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