Having been present at and a part of the production team all three of the British TV election debates, last night I was invited to attend BAFTA in London for a panel discussion about the effect of the debates with the benefit of heinsight.
Chaired by Andrew Neil the speakers included ITV News newscaster Alistair Stewart, Sky News political editor Adam Boulton, BBC head of political programmes Sue Inglish, and ITV head of news Michael Jermey.
A good evening was had. General oppinion was that despite, or perhaps because of, the 76 rules, the debates were very interesting and benefitial. And most people think they will be a regular feature of future general elections. The effect they had was to greater inform the 39% of the population that watched some of one of them, resulting in a greater voter turnout.
