Thursday 8 January 2015

Commenting on the controversy over the televised General Election Party leader debates, Saga director Paul Green said:
"The latest decision by OFCOM seems to fly in the face of what the public want. Saga Generations, those most likely to vote at the General Election, have demanded that TV company bosses host a Party leader's debate with all the national party leaders - Conservative, Labour, UKIP, Lib Dems and the Green Party. In response, Leaders of all of these parties have been invited to make their case to the Saga Generations in advance of the election.

"Whilst a third of the 10,000 people Saga asked wanted all the national Party leaders to debate, a quarter appear to be so fed up with politicians that they did not want any televised debate at all.

"One in five wanted to split the leaders debates with minor and major parties, but only 2 percent wanted to see a head to head between the potential Prime Ministers - Miliband vs Cameron."

Results of the Saga Populus poll:

33% one debate with all main party leaders
19% multiple debates splitting minor and major parties
2% one debate Cameron vs Milliband
27% no debates
13% don't know / won't say
 Ends Populus interviewed 10,080 Saga customers, all aged 50+, online between 13 and 21 August 2014. Populus is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.

For further information please contact the Saga press office on 01303 774716

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