To wonder if anyone can explain why Theresa May is refusing to do any live interviews when she called this election?

[Bearbehind]

As far as I can see TM called this GE because she arrogantly assumed she'd walk it.

Unfortunately for her JC has upped his game and every time someone poses a question to her she rattles off some soundbite starting with 'let me be clear...' and completely ignores he question.

Can anyone defend the fact that she wouldn't participate in the live tv debate and now won't do any radio interviews either?

Shouldn't we be able to expect more from a PM?

I'm wondering if her diabetes has a role in her reluctance to do live debate. 90 minutes is a long time to stand and be under stress without the ability to check sugars. My bil has diabetes and a very stressful job and can go into a hypo very, very quickly. When he does he loses his train of thought, slurs and gets confused.

None of which would be a good look for TM.

I'm trying to drag DC to our local hustings this weekend. Its a great chance for candidates to set out their stall and for us to see if we want them to be our representatives. Respect to all the candidates who've 'lowered themselves' to attend inc. our incumbent Tory MP.

'You comparing the attention of the whole nation on a tv debate'

The whole nation? Wasn't it something like 3m compared to 7m in 2015 which may indicate people are now a bit cynical about the whole thing, those that shout the loudest get a round of applause To hear such nuggets as 'she suggested the UKIP leader was someone who would try to divorce his wife without paying, adding: "We all know about blokes like you."

Farron was entertaining though, he could be the next Stephen Mulhern, get him on the Xtra Factor next time.

I thought they were very good - even Amber Rudd - they mostly came across as passionate and committed thinking people.

• Except for Hillsborough hero Paul Nuttall who as ever got his knickers in a twist, automatically assuming terrorism meant Islamist terrorism and just wazzing on about immigration.

It was really good to see.

So do people not believe the BBC when they say the audience was balanced?

It's a shame as I found her chatter on the one show where she told us a great tale about her shoes really fascinating

'Except for Hillsborough hero Paul Nuttall who as ever got his knickers in a twist, automatically assuming terrorism meant Islamist terrorism '

Tbf though Islamist terrorists are more prolific nowadays than murderers like Breivik, who seem to be the rare exception not the norm.

Where's Mrs Thatcher when you need her

Rosie, I hate to break this to you online in front of strangers, and I want you to prepare yourself to be brave, but she's, well, dead.

Although Amber Rudd's a possible Zombie Thatcher stunt double.

Oh I agree- my point was most of them came across very well. Tv from Paul nuttall came across no worse than he usually does.

I hate the whole idea of TV debates. This isn't a US Presidential election. We're not voting for a leader, we're voting for our local MP who represents us in parliament and they elect the leader. If the result isn't a Conservative majority then I don't expect TM will be a leader for long.

Tv from = tbf

It's not just the tv debates though is it?

It's any kind of unscripted interview/ audience.

I do understand the argument that this stuff isn't entirely necessary in normal circumstances however TM has been hailed as this great leader who is the only possible choice to get us a good Brexit deal.

It's this fact that makes her complete inability to communicate in anything other than scripted soundbites so ridiculous.

If she hadn't been touted as being 'strong and stable' the reality wouldn't be so pronounced.

I'm still waiting for her to back out of QT tonight.

This is why she can't do debates.

Watch her reaction to Yvette Cooper

The less I see her, the better. She has nothing interesting to say.

Heaven help the vulnerable and the almost vulnerable if the Tories win this.

Labour Party are a shower as well.

I like Yvette Cooper. If she were leader then this election would be very different. (It wouldn't have been called for a start!).

Because she doesn't want to win and take the UK and Northern Ireland into Brexit negotiations.

She has tanked it.

I voted for Yvette Cooper. She's just fabulous!

TM has no doubt been advised to do what she should have done from the start and STFU.

When you're only job is not to lose votes, better to say no comment. Different kettle of fish when you have to actively persuade the public.

Justine has just confirmed that TM has been invited on for a webchat and it's under consideration.

Charm, thanks. I will be giving them a look.

A strong and stable person would never, having called the election in the first place, after ruling it out, would never just consider it.

Where is Theresa May?

She doesn't answer anyquestions she's asked. I'm beginning to think that she doesn't understand some of them!
She's started to stumble over her words as well. I've seen her do it many times when being Interviewed, and even more so in the last few days.
Everything about her just screams fake.
She 's a real liability to the Tory party.

Yes. I like Yvette Cooper too

3 main reasons :

First, she doesn't want to concede parity of status to Corbyn. Tony Blair did the same in 2001.

Second, she's a hopeless campaigner and can't think on her feet. The Tories have kept her as far as possible from audiences, cameras & microphones in previous campaigns.

Third, she has nothing to gain and everything to lose by participating.

She's still gong to win, though.

I bet there's lots of plotting going on in the backround, by those trying to oust her. I reckon she won't last long after the election.