Number 10 Press Briefing - Afternoon 10 Dec 2012
The Nobel Peace Prize, Equal Marriage and television debates were discussed at this press briefing.
Prime Minister’s day
Asked if there would be an update to the Prime Minister’s day, the Prime Minister’s Spokesman (PMS) said there was not.
Nobel Peace Prize
Asked if the Prime Minister was disappointed not to attend the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, the PMS said that the Deputy Prime Minister would represent the UK.
Equal marriage
Asked if there was a date for an equal marriage bill, the PMS replied that it was expected tomorrow and advised the assembled media to listen to the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport’s statement to the House of Commons. Asked if the consultation would be published tomorrow, the PMS said it would be the conclusion. Asked how long the process would take, the PMS referred journalists to the Department for Culture Media and Sport. He pointed out that the Government had said it intended to implement equal marriage and had consulted on the details. Asked whether it would be a draft bill, the PMS said the intention would be to get on with it.
Television debates
Asked what the Prime Minister had meant by his comments on television debates, the PMS pointed out that it would not be for him to comment on elections. The PMS suggested that the point the Prime Minister had made was that a fixed term parliament meant the time campaigning before an election could be longer. Asked if campaigning could start before an election was called, the PMS said people had already spoken about promises beyond this parliament.
EU membership
Asked if the Prime Minister had proposed a three tier membership of the EU, the PMS said that the Prime Minister had described the situation as it is. Asked if the UK could create its own tier, the PMS said the Prime Minister had proposed that the UK seek a better deal and put it to fresh consent.