Leaders and viewers await historic live TV debates
Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg prepare for historic live TV debates
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By Matt Hallam. |  |
Thursday, 15, Apr 2010 10:03
By Matthew Champion.
UK political and broadcasting history will be made tonight when Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg take part in the first-ever live televised debate between the main party leaders during a general election campaign.
There will be a brief lull in campaigning today as the three men conduct 11th hour preparation for the 90-minute debate, to be broadcast on ITV1 at 20:30 BST tonight. The debate is the first in a series of three to be broadcast during the campaign, the next two being shown on Sky and BBC.
In depth: Prime ministerial debates
Conservative party leader Mr Cameron is seen as the front-runner for the debate, which centres on domestic affairs, although his party has already begun downplaying expectations.
Yesterday Mr Cameron said the format of the debates, which are all subject to 76 rules, could leave the public feeling cold.
"I do worry that we may have ended up with a format that's going to be a bit slow and sluggish," the Tory leader said on Wednesday. "So I may be wrong. I hope the public won't feel short-changed. I think we've got to make sure the public feel they're getting their questions answered."
But Mr Cameron's comments have been seized upon by Labour, who are themselves trying to present the prime minister as the underdog, as hypocritical after all parties drew up the rules together.
"This is typical of Cameron: he agrees some rules and then pretends he has had them foisted on him so he can look like he is the public's friend," a party official told the Guardian.
Speaking to ITV1 ahead of the debate, Mr Brown said: "You've got to be realistic and honest that nothing will be the perfection you want it to be, but I'm determined to get my message across."
Liberal Democrat leader Mr Clegg meanwhile, who many regard as having the most to gain from the debate series, said he was looking forward to the opportunity.
"It's like having one big huge job interview in front of the whole nation," Mr Clegg said on Wednesday.
"But the main thing is I know myself well enough, I've actually got to enjoy it.
"That's what I want to do, instead of constantly worrying about saying this or that or getting that fact wrong or right."
inthenews.co.uk will be providing live updates on the debate tonight