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A presidential-style TV debate between Gordon Brown and David Cameron could be staged at the general election, Lord Mandelson has told the Standard.
In an exclusive interview, the Prime Minister's most powerful ally suggested that Mr Brown would become the first incumbent of No10 to agree to the idea.
"I don't think Gordon would have a problem with that," he said. "While Cameron is good with words, he doesn't have the ideas or policies to back them. I think people would see through the smile.
"The more the public sees of them, the more they'd realise that Gordon is the man with the substance."
He spoke as a new poll today gave the Tories storming towards a landslide victory.
It showed an 18-point lead for Mr Cameron, with the Tories up six points since June to 42 per cent. The ComRes poll for The Independent had Labour on 24 per cent and the Liberal Democrats on 18 per cent.
Such a lead would give the Conservative leader a majority of 152 seats at a general election. Lord Mandelson admitted that Mr Brown had lost his skirmish with Mr Cameron over spending cuts versus rising investment.
“I'll give him the point,” he said. “We should have been faster in realising how they were attempting to define us.”
A TV debate would expose the Tory leader's weaknesses, he argued. “Cameron lacks substance and he might come across as someone who exudes effortless superiority in public, but loses his rag in private.”
It would be highly risky for Mr Brown to agree. Tony Blair and John Major both refused to give their opponents the chance to score points on live TV.
In America, such candidates' debates are a fixture and President Barack Obama's strong, calm performance was key to winning the trust of voters.
Lord Mandelson suggested the Government had lost sight of the importance of PR skills. “You can get so consumed by government that you forget to present what you do to the public. Our organisation has to be better, we have to campaign more effectively — and give a clear message.” A new analysis today found businesses are eagerly courting the Conservatives. Leading accountancy firms KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers have given the Tories free services and staff on secondment, worth hundreds of thousands of pounds. Such companies will compete for billions of pounds of Government contracts.
Labour's hopes of an early economic recovery to boost an autumn fightback were dented by official figures showing tax revenues from the City have halved to £32.5 billion compared with two years ago.
Reader views (43)
Could Jeremy Clarkson be the compere? I'd definitely watch it then!
- Richard, Surrey
Maybe Mandleson realises that if they have one this time they will have to have one next time and that it always makes the leader of the opposition look equal to the p.m ,so whoever is labour leader of the opposition in 2014 will have equal billing to the tory prime minister- which'll probably be William Hague as the toires will oust Cameron after a year
- John P Reid, london
So Mandelson is telling the PM what to do. I always thought it was the PM who decided what to do. Is Gordon so weak that he can be pushed around by thee-times dodgy Mandleson? Isn't it more about Mandelson hoping that Gordon will be finally destroyed by Camerpn so that he will take the crown of PM. In your dreams Mandy.
- Albert Hall, hove england
Brown will never be that stupid as to confront Cameron in open debate, it appears that Mandelson is trying to make himself in the running for that of prime minister, very few people believe anything that a politician has to say because most people believe they only speak with ulterior motives.
- Royston Amphlett, Bournemouth.
Funny this - Mandelson says he doesn't think Gordon Brown would have a problem with a televised debate, but then No 10 tell the BBC that Gordon Brown's views on the subject have not changed, and he is thought to be opposed to the idea. Oh dear Your Lordship, what are we to make of that?
- Cassie, London
Read Iain Dales version he has done an update which states that Brown has thrown it out of the window and Mandelson sounds as though he is acting alone
- Jacqui Williams, peterborough cambs
You can tell when Mandleson and his cronies are lying spinning coniving and systematicaly knackering the country to maintain their self serving agenda's
You can see their lips moving!
- Paul ., Central London
I would sooner see all politicians fighting it out in a large boxing ring at Wembley; the last person standing would then be crowned world champion fraudster of Westminster.
- Mickinlondon, london.
Wot, no Val or Keith sticking up for Broon. This will never happen - Number 10 is already backtracking (see The Times online) and denying that Broon will take part. This whole government is a mess and expect it to get worse.
- Andrew, Leaving the sinking ship England
Both Brown and Cameron work for the same bosses so it will just be a charade.
- Bob, London, England, British Isles
John R London. Your question about how about Brown wants a debate; not a mass debate, answering everyones questions; just a debate answering planted (Keith from Luton's)questions. Totally vacuous. However if Cameron refuses because he thinks it pointless, Mandy will accuse him of being a man of no substance. Unlike Mandy, who to use Camerons own description 'he's not a twitterer', so he must be something else. Oh sorry, it was Mandy who said 'Not a quitter' wasn't it.
- Alan, carlisle uk
Brown has never been ready for anything. But even his stupidity would not stretch to suicide by TV.
- Billg, Slough
Could be a mistake. Cameron is a slick PR man with no real policies, whereas Brown has shown from YouTube he can't do media all that well.
- Dhan Raj, Basildon
It is bordering on the farcical that newlabour think either this tactic would work or that suggesting it would somehow put the tories off.
Compare and contrast; Cameron a man who has made numerous well pitched scriptless speeches to popular aclaim vs Brown who endlessly bogs himself down in detail and numbers. Brown who ios responsible for the highest levels of personal and government debt ever recorded vs Cameron who has suggested, to widespread support, that public sector spending needs to be cut and responsibility needs to return to lending practices.
Pushover.
Call an election.
The only plausible explanation for this suggestion is Mandleson is trying to scare Brown into resigning before the election.
- Robin, London
You have to admire the gall of the Dark Lord - he knows that the Great Kluncking Ditherer would be shown up for the 'inflated bladder on a stick' that he is and in the resulting turmoil, Mandy will, no doubt, demurely, step over the dead carcass of Gordon and into his shoes as Leader of the Venally Corrupt Labour Party.
That is, after having Tony the Liar appointed as head of the EU first.
Machiavelli has nothing on Mandelson. LOL
- Silent Hunter, Stirling, Scotland
This Labour Government has a history of over promising and under delivering. There is no way Mandy would allow Brown to take part in a televised debate - look at his YouTube debacles.
What happened to the promise of a referendum on the EU constitution?
- Adam, London
I would pay folding money to see that. Since Brown never answers questions put to him in Parliament, I would love to see him being well and truly skewered by Cameron in front of millions.
Bring it on!
- Sarahn, London, UK
Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!
How absolutely delighted I am that I will not be bothered by any non-event on TV between Gormless Brown and David Cameron.
I HAVE NEITHER THE TIME, INCLINATION OR A TELEVISION TUNED TO THE POLICE STATE PROGRAMMES THAT THIS LOUSY GOVERNMENT USES TO BRAIN WASH THE MASSES OF SHEEPLE.
- Reuben Camara, Republic of Morecambe, UK
Go on Gordon everyone will love to see you on TV putting the last nail in your coffin....by the way don't forget to claim your £25 for being away from home (by the way you will not need a reciept)
- Derek, Oliva,Valencia Spain (In England for a while)
I've always thought that it was the Opposition that hustled for a head-to-head debate, always rejected, because their leader could usually be counted on to lay into the incumbent's record.
If Brown is asking for the debate, perhaps I should revise that view:it's the underdog seeking a last ditch effort to make a fatal wound.
- Captain Black Of The Mysterons, London, England
David Cameron will be better served if he studiously avoids Mandelson's serpentine trip-wires. In fact, the Conservative's massive lead in the polls should guarantee that Cameron can pick and choose his media favourites and supply them with the ammunition to totally destroy what's left of Gordon Brown and his ratbag army of halfwits, chancers and charlatans.
- Ted, London
Bankrupted the country?
Oh dear George from Bexleheath, the answer is simple. Everything you mention is the Conservative's fault, can't you see that?
- Peter Thurgood, London, UK
There couldn't really be a debate. Cameron is utterly vaccuous. It could only come to resemble an episode of the odd couple if Cameron could actually come up with something to say.
- Prototypical Englishman, Wormwood Scrubs
Lord Mandelson is a total snake. Brown will never go head to head with Cameron in a million years, I hope he does though - it would be a bloodbath, Cameron would have him for supper!.
The Tories need to follow through with a EU referendum which has been promised to the British people, this will gain them a lot of respect from voters. The majority of British people do not want to be part of an EU superstate - Governments need to respect our wishes, and follow through with the appropriate action. If they don't the likes of UKIP will eventually come to power!.
- Mark Burton, St Ives. Cambs
EXCELLENT! I really missed the Muppet Show... can't wait!
- Sanjay, Hounslow, UK
Brown: Like a tragic gambler at Vegas, the money's gone but one last borrowed chip will see his luck turn around.
Mandy knows the games up. This is pure desperation. Brown will be torn limb from limb - but Mandy doesn't care - his 'new friend' is being shafted one last time by Voldemort. NuLiebor is in its death-throes. Pull up a seat and enjoy the show.
- Ged, Blackheath, London
We already know that Brown has no problem telling outrageous whopping lies, before losing his temper and reeling off tractor stats.
The Labour strategy clearly hopes that if all else fails, the public will fall for the lies.
- Jonathan Cook, Hampshire
So .... is the Government actually planning to do anything THIS year or is this just another of those empty promises ?
(oh and can someone please remind me WHY Mandy Pandy earned a knighthood?)
- Marianne, SW France/London
Cameron should turn up late and in fancy dress just to rub it in that Brown and his cronies dont stand a cat in hells chance of winning newxt time round.
- Wallytrader, London
Gordon Brown and Labour have decided that Brits will be given no say on the U.K. becoming an E.U. province (Lisbon Treaty, aka E.U. Constitution). That's Clegg's (LibDems') view also. The big question is where does David Cameron stand on giving Brits a say on their future system of government and the changing of the U.K. from country to province of a federal state. William Hague, Shadow Foreign Secretary, was recently humiliated by Jeremy Paxman on Newsnight when he hummed and hawwed and refused to answer that question. Let's by all means have a Brown/Cameron debate, and let Cameron answer (for once) the question. No humming and no hawwing. The British people deserve to know in what country they will live in future, i.e. will the U.K. return to self-government, or will the U.K. be even more (80% already) governed from offshore.
- Phil Jones, London UK
Mandelson knows full well how hopeless brown would be in such a debate. But he's not a fool, he's got something up his sleeve!
- John R., London SW
Great idea. Go on David Cameron, do it...and use a few more swears while you're at it.
- Escobar A-Lop-Lop, Mad as hell and not taking it anymore...
Yes Mandy Meddlesome, please explain, using your best PR skills, just how you think Liebour can win when:
1/ You have bankrupted the country.
2/ Put millions on the Dole.
3/ Ruined private pensions, but left "fat cat" civil servants gold plated schemes alone.
4/ Created 1200 new crimes and a big brother society since coming to power.
5/ Dreamed up so called green taxes, just to rip people off!
6/ Continue to increase public spending out of our taxes whilst we in the private sector can't make ends meet.
7/ Tell us again why our promised EU referendum never happed, all in the best PR way!
Not a hope in hell, you and your ilk are a disgrace, resign and call an election now!
- George, Bexletheath
It's called desperately 'clutching at straws'.
And even The Great Lord Meddlesome, 'cocquettish Sally', and 'pregnant Dolly Draper' [just look at HIS suddenly blooming waistline!] can't stop Brown being jettisoned by 'our' mighty [State Party] 'Conference' in the Autumn.
Meanwhile the guttless Johnson, Brown's phoney heir apparent, cowardly refuses even to 'get involved' with the outrageously unjust hacker extradition case and incedibly 'doesn't loose sleep' over horrendous [legal/illegal] immigration levels!
Mendacious, corrupt and vacuous, the [ZaNuLabour] lot of them!
- Dave, Cumbria
What a laughable set of comments from Mandelson. He's becoming as deluded as Brown.
Brown would NEVER agree to a televised debate with Cameron - he would alienate even more people than he has already.
I had to laugh when mandy said people would see through Cameron's smile - is he that stupid?
I could just imagine Cameron slaughtering Brown - it would be a total humiliation, and like I said, Brown would not have the guts to do such a thing.
- Ollie, bromsgrove
I can only assume that by persuading Gordon Brown to have a TV debate Mandelson is clearing the decks so that he can resign from the Lords and become Labout leader. Why else would he subject his 'beloved' leader, he of the rictus smile, to such a humiliating meeting.
- Derek Holmes, Carmarthen Wales
I think I would feel very ill at the thought of the Broon Jobbie trying to justify his wrecking of the UK.
Also anything with the name Mandelson on it must be suspect.
My main problem with the politicians is whether I have anyone to vote for. Should I put my trust in any of them. My own local MP in the UK seems straight but he knew what was happening over expenses and did not stand up to be counted. Even Hilary Ben who claimed the least did not blow the whistle.
Why are we being asked to listen to and vote for people who have blatantly robbed us all and are intent on carrying on doing so?
- Ayliff A Mcnab, Orihuela Costa,
Well at least Cameron does smile as opposed to a forced grimace, but 'loses his rag in private', that's another dimension. Can't say I've read of any reports of Cameron throwing things about, er like mobile phones.
- Alan, carlisle uk
As we get closer to the election our party leaders are busy with various kinds of political maneuvers whose ultimate aim is fabricating a good impression and alluring voters. Indeed, competition among political parties is encouraged in a healthy democracy, but the main goal is to produce the best policy alternatives in resolving the nation's fundamental problems.
As far as the people are concerned, what they eagerly want from the political competition among their leaders is a professional exploration of new ways or methods of governance, so that voters might have good foundations for making a judgment when choosing their leaders. Unfortunately most of our political leaders do not really care about the element of public education in their election competition. The nature of the television advertisements that are now widely used by political parties is such that they only constitute a statement of good intentions. They do not tell us how the political leaders are going to translate their good intentions into workable policy alternatives. For instance, all candidates claim they are committed to the improvement of people's welfare. However, they do not explain to us what is wrong with the current welfare policies and why they are not effective in solving the problem. OBAMA managed to convince the American public that he had the capacity to create change for his nation.LET SEE WHETHER MR BROWN AND MR CAMERON ARE READY FOR THEIR COMMITMENTS TO THE PUBLIC.
- Ýlyas Orhanli, Manchester
Gordon Broon has NO MANDATE IN ENGLAND! Broon and McLabour OUTTTTTTTTT! we WANT an EU REFERENDUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Steve, Preston
Gordon, don't do it ! Your demeanour and hang dog expression together with your dreary style would send the nation to sleep and hand the election to the tories on a plate.
- Faye Mcademy, London
This would be very funny, watching Bean gurn and fake smile his way through a TV debate with Cameron. Can't wait!
- David, Fleet UK
This will be hilarious!
Hopefully Cameron will ask Brown what he meant when he said he had "saved the world" and also what "zero percent growth" means! Can we all have a go at having a debate with Brown? I think even the even the simplest of questions will make Broon look confused and hapless!
- St, London
