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PM 'agrees to Cameron TV debate' PM 'agrees to Cameron TV debate'
(9 minutes later)
Gordon Brown is ready to debate with David Cameron on TV not just during the general election campaign but before it, the BBC understands.Gordon Brown is ready to debate with David Cameron on TV not just during the general election campaign but before it, the BBC understands.
He is thought to believe debates will highlight the choices facing voters.He is thought to believe debates will highlight the choices facing voters.
But the BBC's Ben Wright said he understood a TV debate will not feature in Mr Brown's keynote speech to the Labour conference on Tuesday. But the BBC's Ben Wright said he understood a TV debate would not feature in Mr Brown's keynote speech to the Labour conference on Tuesday.
The prime minister is expected to announce in his speech a new crackdown on anti-social behaviour.The prime minister is expected to announce in his speech a new crackdown on anti-social behaviour.
Televised debates involved very complicated negotiations with broadcasters and other parties, our correspondent added.
Meanwhile a new opinion poll puts Labour in third place behind the Liberal Democrats.Meanwhile a new opinion poll puts Labour in third place behind the Liberal Democrats.
Months ago, Conservative leader Mr Cameron called for a TV election debate to be held involving Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg as well.Months ago, Conservative leader Mr Cameron called for a TV election debate to be held involving Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg as well.
Sources suggest Mr Brown would rather go "head to head" with the Tory leader and is prepared to take part in a series of debates - some involving Mr Clegg and others not - in order to allow this to happen. If the debates took place they would be the first ever televised prime ministerial debates to be held in Britain.
If the debates take place they would be the first ever televised prime ministerial debates to be held in Britain. But Mr Brown is not the first PM to agree to take part in such a debate. A Downing Street source said the matter was still under consideration and an announcement would be made in due course.
Then Tory leader John Major did so just before the 1997 general election but the political parties and the broadcasters could not agree on a format acceptable to all sides in the time available. In his keynote conference speech, Mr Brown will highlight the difference between Labour and the Conservatives.
Elsewhere in his keynote conference speech, Mr Brown will also highlight the difference between Labour and the Conservatives.
He will also announce a new crackdown on anti-social behaviour, telling delegates: "Whenever and wherever there is anti-social behaviour, we will be there to fight it.He will also announce a new crackdown on anti-social behaviour, telling delegates: "Whenever and wherever there is anti-social behaviour, we will be there to fight it.
"We will not stand by and see the lives of the lawful majority disrupted by the behaviour of the lawless minority."We will not stand by and see the lives of the lawful majority disrupted by the behaviour of the lawless minority.
"Because the decent, hard working majority are getting evermore angry - rightly so - with the minority who who will talk about their rights but never accept their responsibilities.""Because the decent, hard working majority are getting evermore angry - rightly so - with the minority who who will talk about their rights but never accept their responsibilities."
As part of a wider package of crime measures, he will announce moves to combat "problem families" he will claim are causing misery in communities with fourfold increase in the use of Family Intervention Projects.As part of a wider package of crime measures, he will announce moves to combat "problem families" he will claim are causing misery in communities with fourfold increase in the use of Family Intervention Projects.
These are binding contracts which require parents of children causing anti-social behaviour orders to take one-to-one support or lose their benefits.These are binding contracts which require parents of children causing anti-social behaviour orders to take one-to-one support or lose their benefits.
He will also pledge to force the courts to issue more Drinking Banning Orders - so-called drink Asbos - against anyone convicted of a crime who was under the influence of alcohol at the time.He will also pledge to force the courts to issue more Drinking Banning Orders - so-called drink Asbos - against anyone convicted of a crime who was under the influence of alcohol at the time.
Mr Brown is under pressure to make the speech of his life on Tuesday, with morale among many Labour activists said to be at an all-time low.Mr Brown is under pressure to make the speech of his life on Tuesday, with morale among many Labour activists said to be at an all-time low.
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson lifted spirits on Monday with an impassioned address to conference that earned him a standing ovation from delegates.Business Secretary Lord Mandelson lifted spirits on Monday with an impassioned address to conference that earned him a standing ovation from delegates.
Gordon Brown is under pressure to make the speech of his lifeGordon Brown is under pressure to make the speech of his life
He urged them to be "fighters, not quitters" and said if he could make a political comeback they could.He urged them to be "fighters, not quitters" and said if he could make a political comeback they could.
But it comes as a new opinion poll suggests the party is heading for a crushing general election defeat.But it comes as a new opinion poll suggests the party is heading for a crushing general election defeat.
The Ipsos Mori survey puts the Tories on 36%, Labour on 24% and the Liberal Democrats on 25%.The Ipsos Mori survey puts the Tories on 36%, Labour on 24% and the Liberal Democrats on 25%.
That compares with last month's results which had the Tories 43%, Labour 26% and the Liberal Democrats 17%.That compares with last month's results which had the Tories 43%, Labour 26% and the Liberal Democrats 17%.
It is the first time Labour have been in third place since February 1982, when they were on 33% compared to 34% for the Liberal-SDP Alliance.It is the first time Labour have been in third place since February 1982, when they were on 33% compared to 34% for the Liberal-SDP Alliance.
In a separate poll for BBC Two's Newsnight almost two thirds of voters surveyed said their view of the Labour Party has worsened since Gordon Brown took over as leader.In a separate poll for BBC Two's Newsnight almost two thirds of voters surveyed said their view of the Labour Party has worsened since Gordon Brown took over as leader.
ORB interviewed 1,056 UK adults aged 18 and over by telephone between 11 and 14 September.ORB interviewed 1,056 UK adults aged 18 and over by telephone between 11 and 14 September.