David Cameron: Don’t put Ukip in general election TV debate

 
p10 p11 In this photo taken on Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012, UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage looks over the press room at an EU summit in Brussels. The prospect of failure hangs over a European Union leadersí summit intended to lay out the 27-country blocís long-term spending plans. While heavyweights like Britain and France are pulling in opposite directions, smaller members are threatening to veto a deal to make themselves heard. (
AP Photo/Virginia Mayo
18 January 2013
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David Cameron has dismissed calls for Ukip leader Nigel Farage to join the leaders’ debates on TV at the next general election.

The PM said only parties “that are going to form the government” should take part. The Lib-Dems and Ukip are both on about 10 per cent in the polls, but many experts predict Ukip will peak at the Euro elections in 2014.

On Question Time on BBC1 last night, Mr Farage said Mr Cameron “better not be booking studio time himself with confidence”.

Mr Cameron has repeatedly provoked Mr Farage's ire with his dismissive comments about Ukip.

But, asked about the prospect of Mr Farage taking part in the next leaders' debates, Mr Cameron told The House magazine: "Obviously, we have to decide on this nearer the time, but 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".

Mr Cameron recently stirred Mr Farage's anger by refusing to retract the comment and saying there were "still some very odd people".

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