TV debates confirmed for 2010 election
Party leaders will take part in three televised debates
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Monday, 21, Dec 2009 05:14
By politics.co.uk staff
Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg will go head-to-head in three primetime televised debates during 2010's general election campaign, it has been confirmed.
Opposition parties had been calling for the debates for many years and have now succeeded in making the major breakthrough, meaning Mr Brown will become the first prime minister to agree to the measure.
Three debates, potentially lasting up to 90 minutes each, will be hosted by three different broadcasters - ITV, Sky and the BBC, in that order.
"All three of the biggest parties in the UK have agreed to do it," the BBC's chief adviser on politics, Rick Bailey, said. "That's never happened before."
Smaller parties, like the Scottish National party, will be excluded. But all three broadcasters will make efforts to hold separate debates as appropriate.
Alastair Stewart will chair the ITV debate. Adam Boulton and David Dimbleby will perform the same duties for Sky and the BBC respectively.
Finalised details about the formats of the programme will take place in the new year.
Around half of each debate will be themed, it has been agreed. All three debates will follow the same format.