Even the Islamic Republic of Iran managed to get everyone to election TV debates

The BBC debate for the general election took place Wednesday night and most party leaders were present.

We say most because Prime Minister Theresa May wasn't.

Having pitched the election as a personality battle, portraying Jeremy Corbyn as a weak leader, she failed to turn up to a debate he challenged her to attend.

She instead sent Amber Rudd, who did not do too well.

Regardless it marked a low for the Conservatives and indeed for the exchange of discourse in the election.

Even Iran managed to get full complement of leaders in their TV debates in April.

The participants were, on 28 April 2017:

• Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf
• Mostafa Hashemitaba
• Eshaq Jahangiri
• Mostafa Mirsalim
• Hassan Rouhani

You can watch footage here:

Good job, Theresa. Strong and stable.

More: Ed Miliband had the best response to Theresa May dodging the election debates