Howard avoids a threesome

We've already seen Michael Howard begin the official Leader of the Opposition script calling for a debate with the Prime Minister and now he's decided to go for a slight variation of the form by proposing a rather strange plan to accomodate Charles Kennedy, while not having a debate featuring all three leaders.

It's a good idea by Howard. Well, it's a clever political idea, but absolutely terrible if you're looking for a proper debate between the three party leaders. I presume the thinking is that the first debate would be the one that gets the highest ratings, and thus features him and the Prime Minister and then they each get to go one-on-one with Charles Kennedy (in a kind of 'winner stays on' format) where neither of them will feel the need to talk about their party's policies but just get to reel out the 'Liberal Democrats are evil! You hear us? Eeevil!' line whenever they're called on to make a statement. Still, it's good to see Howard trying to create some new opportunities for himself, like a good opportunist.

One day, we may get a proper televised debate (or even a series of them) between the three party leaders, but I doubt if it's going to be next year, mainly because if Howard keeps changing his mind about which format he wants, it's very easy for Downing Street to agree to something he's already rejected to ensure it doesn't happen.