PM seeks to bar Ukip from TV debates

David Cameron has dismissed calls for Nigel Farage to be allowed to take part in the next general election leaders’ debates with the put-down that only parties “that are going to form the government” should be included.

By The Newsroom

Published 18th Jan 2013, 06:00 BST

The Prime Minister, who is on hostile terms with the UK Independence Party (Ukip) leader, made clear he did not think the recent surge in support for the hardline eurosceptics qualified Mr Farage to be involved in the television debates.

Mr Cameron has repeatedly provoked Mr Farage’s ire with his dismissive comments about Ukip, whose improved poll ratings and by-election performances have seen it frequently hold third place ahead of the Liberal Democrats.

But, asked about the prospect of Mr Farage taking part in the next leaders’ debates, Mr Cameron told The House magazine: “The TV debates should be about, you know, the parties that are going to form the government, in my view.”

The Prime Minister has previously described Ukip as containing “fruitcakes, loonies and closet racists”.