One "solution" to the debate issue: hold two debates per channel, but hold the debate with more participants first & make it a cast iron unbreakable rule that only participants in that debate can take part in the head-to-head one. @SkyNews @ITVNewsPolitics @BBCNews @Channel4News
So the second debate can be Boris Johnson vs Jeremy Corbyn, but only if both participated in the earlier debate on the same channel. But if for example Boris Johnson tries to deputise to get out of the multi-way debate, then he doesn't get to participate in the head-to-head.
No exceptions, no wriggle room. That puts the ball back in each campaign's court. If they won't participate, substitute a cardboard cutout to make it super clear they've chickened out, because they have. (NOTE: by "first" I don't mean "immediately before", but "earlier date".)
