New Times,
New Thinking.

  1. Politics
21 December 2009updated 27 Sep 2015 2:28am

TV debate: it’s on

Gordon Brown confirms ITV, Sky News and BBC participation

By Brenda Goh

The main British party leaders, Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg, have agreed to lock horns in three televised election debates in the run-up to next year’s general election, the Telegraph has reported.

The paper notes:

It will be the first time that British party leaders have gone head-to-head in a live television battle similar to those in American presidential elections. It comes after fierce negotiating between Number 10, David Cameron’s office and the BBC, ITV News and Sky News.

ITV will host the first debate, to be chaired by Alastair Stewart; Sky News will go next with Adam Boulton as host. The third and final debate will be chaired by David Dimbleby.

Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday. The best way to sign up for The Saturday Read is via saturdayread.substack.com The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. The best way to sign up for Morning Call is via morningcall.substack.com
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how Progressive Media Investments may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
THANK YOU

Sky News has been pushing for live leaders’ debates on television since September, with more than 15,000 people signing an online petition in support of the campaign so far.

The BBC and Sky will make their programmes available to other broadcasters simultaneously, while ITV will make its show available immediately after transmission.

Content from our partners
The Circular Economy: Green growth, jobs and resilience
Water security: is it a government priority?
Defend, deter, protect: the critical capabilities we rely on