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PM agrees to TV election debate PM agrees to TV election debate
(10 minutes later)
Gordon Brown has confirmed he is willing "in principle" to take part in a TV debate ahead of the election.Gordon Brown has confirmed he is willing "in principle" to take part in a TV debate ahead of the election.
On Friday, the BBC, ITV and BSkyB put forward a joint proposal to stage three live election debates between leaders of the three main political parties.On Friday, the BBC, ITV and BSkyB put forward a joint proposal to stage three live election debates between leaders of the three main political parties.
It is not known whether both opposition leaders would take part.It is not known whether both opposition leaders would take part.
On Labour's website, Gordon Brown says he wants a series of debates on specific issues including the economy, public services and foreign affairs.On Labour's website, Gordon Brown says he wants a series of debates on specific issues including the economy, public services and foreign affairs.
In a letter to party members, Mr Brown said: "So I believe it is right that the parties debate the issues not just in Parliament but in every arena where the public will join in the discussion.In a letter to party members, Mr Brown said: "So I believe it is right that the parties debate the issues not just in Parliament but in every arena where the public will join in the discussion.
"It is right that we set the issues before the British people."It is right that we set the issues before the British people.
TV debates now look more likely than ever to happen since all sides have declared their willingness early enough for the details to be hammered out Nick Robinson, BBC political editor Nick Robinson's blogTV debates now look more likely than ever to happen since all sides have declared their willingness early enough for the details to be hammered out Nick Robinson, BBC political editor Nick Robinson's blog
"Others can work out the details but what's important for the country is that there is a wide ranging series of television and radio debates with party leaders that are also able to devote attention to the central issues that matter to families: the economy, public services, how we strengthen our communities, and how we work with the rest of the world."Others can work out the details but what's important for the country is that there is a wide ranging series of television and radio debates with party leaders that are also able to devote attention to the central issues that matter to families: the economy, public services, how we strengthen our communities, and how we work with the rest of the world.
"It is right that there will be a strong focus on the leaders' debates and it is right that in a Cabinet system of government that ministers and opposition ministers also debate the issues in a series of debates on television and radio too."It is right that there will be a strong focus on the leaders' debates and it is right that in a Cabinet system of government that ministers and opposition ministers also debate the issues in a series of debates on television and radio too.
"I relish the opportunity of making our case directly to the people of this country.""I relish the opportunity of making our case directly to the people of this country."
The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said agreeing the detail could be "easier said than done".The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said agreeing the detail could be "easier said than done".
In his blog, he wrote: "Brown does not mention the involvement of Nick Clegg but, as I wrote last week, he's said to be keen to go head-to-head with Cameron and to be prepared to agree to debate with Clegg on his own in order to allow that to happen."In his blog, he wrote: "Brown does not mention the involvement of Nick Clegg but, as I wrote last week, he's said to be keen to go head-to-head with Cameron and to be prepared to agree to debate with Clegg on his own in order to allow that to happen."
He went on to say: "TV debates now look more likely than ever to happen since all sides have declared their willingness early enough for the details to be hammered out before the campaign makes compromise impossible."He went on to say: "TV debates now look more likely than ever to happen since all sides have declared their willingness early enough for the details to be hammered out before the campaign makes compromise impossible."
The Liberal Democrats said the party would welcome a televised debate and leader Nick Clegg would agree to take part.