Research shows the public want to see TV leaders’ debate.
Nearly three-quarters (71%) of voters believe broadcasters should go ahead with TV leaders’ debates even if Mr Cameron refuses to take part, according to apoll.
Only 13% said the debates should not take place without the Prime Minister.
Some 64% said Mr Cameron had damaged his reputation and 59% that he was behaving in a “cowardly” way by trying to avoid the debates.
And 63% said that if the events take place without him, broadcasters should leave an empty lectern to mark his absence.
The ComRes survey for ITV News found that Mr Cameron is the only party leader to be believed by a majority of voters (64%) not to want the debates to take place.
Only 15% of those questioned said they thought the Prime Minister wants them to go ahead, against 72% for Mr Miliband, 71% for Mr Farage, 63% for Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and 58% for Green leader Natalie Bennett.
But voters think that, if he does take part, Mr Cameron will out-perform all his rivals except Mr Farage. The Ukip leader was rated most likely to “win” the debate by 32% of those questioned, followed by the Prime Minister on 27%, Mr Miliband on 24%, Mr Clegg on 11% and Ms Bennett on 5%.
ComRes interviewed 2,026 British adults online between March 6 and 8.
Enjoy the convenience of having The Sunday Post delivered as a digital ePaper straight to your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Subscribe for only £5.49 a month and enjoy all the benefits of the printed paper as a digital replica.
Subscribe