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Gordon Brown 'accepts TV debate challenge'
29 Sep 2009Prime Minister Gordon Brown is preparing to accept the challenge to a televised debate with David Cameron and Nick Clegg in the upcoming general election campaign, it was reported.
Reports suggested the Prime Minister was actively considering agreeing to an unprecedented TV debate and may announce his decision in his keynotes speech to conference today.
Official sources were silent on the issue of a debate.
But it is understood that no final decision has yet been taken by Mr Brown.
A televised debate between the leaders of the three major parties has never previously taken place during a UK general election, often because the front runner in any contest fears losing ground through a poor on-screen performance.
Both Conservative leader Mr Cameron and the Liberal Democrats' Mr Clegg have already indicated that they are ready to go head-to-head with the Prime Minister, after Sky News offered to host a debate.
Even if the PM does accept the challenge, extended wrangling can be expected between the parties over the format, venue, line-up and broadcaster for any debate as well as over the number of clashes.
Downing Street sources described TV reports that Mr Brown was about to announce his decision on the debate as "excitable and ill-informed" and said the Prime Minister's position had not changed.
"Gordon Brown has never shied away from debating the issues with David Cameron," said the source
"As we have always said, we are considering whether to take part in a televised debate.
"We will announce the decision in due course."
Mr Cameron said: "We have been calling for a TV debate for over a year now and welcome the news that Gordon Brown has at long last agreed to it."
Mr Clegg's chief of staff, Danny Alexander, said: "It is good news that after weeks of playing hard to get, Gordon Brown has finally agreed to take part in this debate between the three main party leaders.
"Anyone who asks the British people for their vote should be prepared to make their case to the nation."
Reader views (11)
I wonder how much time and what the costs might be for the mock TV debate rehearsals at number 10, prior to this live debate if it ever happens. Gordoon is not going in cold you can bet your life on that one. The puppeteer Mandy will be pulling the strings.
- Macdangler, Wimbledon SW19, 29/09/2009 17:18
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Let them debate giving the British people the referendum that all their parties promised on the U.K. change from country to E.U. province. Brown and Clegg gave away the U.K's status as a country by ratifying the Lisbon Treaty, and Cameron is too gutless to come out and say what he would do about it!
- Phil Jones, London UK, 29/09/2009 15:50
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Dave, London. Totally agree with you. It should be all parties not just the main 3.
- Dom, London, 29/09/2009 14:39
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Going to painful viewing...he's going to be torn apart.
- Mick, London, 29/09/2009 12:58
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I have very little confidence in any of these candidates and would love to have a chance of hearing from the top six political parties,not just these three that are all financed by big business.If the UK is a democracy,then all parties should receive equal air time.
- Dave, london, 29/09/2009 12:49
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Well the format and mediator are of absolute importance. As the article says the front-runner has always shied away and that's definitely not McBroon!!
- Mark, London, 29/09/2009 11:11
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Not ever watching television is a blessing in disguise!!
I definitely will NOT be paying £145.00 for a TV license just to look at Gormless Brown's stupid grin.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe Compound, EUSSR, 29/09/2009 10:13
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Bit of a worry for glossy Cameron - his lack of experience or policies will make him a sitting duck ....
- Nick, Battersea, 29/09/2009 09:34
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Lets see if it actually happens shall we.............
- Christian Ball, London, UK, 29/09/2009 09:11
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"actively considering" is hardly a yes, is it? Lily-livered Crash struggles with PMQ's as it is!
- Marianne, SW France/London, 29/09/2009 09:05
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Looks like the media have finally smoked our bottler at Number Ten out of his bunker.
- Ted, London, 29/09/2009 07:59
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