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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Agreement on leaders' TV debates | Agreement on leaders' TV debates |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Three major broadcasters - the BBC, ITV and Sky - have agreed on the rules for hosting party leaders' debates in the run-up to the general election. | Three major broadcasters - the BBC, ITV and Sky - have agreed on the rules for hosting party leaders' debates in the run-up to the general election. |
| The three 90-minute sessions will begin by focusing on domestic policies, international affairs and the economy. | The three 90-minute sessions will begin by focusing on domestic policies, international affairs and the economy. |
| The studio audiences will then be able to ask direct questions on any subject, with viewers doing the same via e-mail. | The studio audiences will then be able to ask direct questions on any subject, with viewers doing the same via e-mail. |
| Labour's Gordon Brown, Tory David Cameron and Lib Dem Nick Clegg agreed last year that they would appear. | Labour's Gordon Brown, Tory David Cameron and Lib Dem Nick Clegg agreed last year that they would appear. |
| The BBC is to hold separate party leader election debates in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. | The BBC is to hold separate party leader election debates in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. |
| Handshakes | Handshakes |
| Handshakes between the candidates will be restricted to the end of the programme and applause will only be allowed at the beginning and end, to allow more questions to be asked. | Handshakes between the candidates will be restricted to the end of the programme and applause will only be allowed at the beginning and end, to allow more questions to be asked. |
| All involved were very clear that these were events which should and could add to the understanding of voters as they make up their minds Ric BaileyBBC's chief political adviser class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/theeditors/2010/03/prime_ministerial_debates.html">Read the debates' details here | |
| Mr Cameron said he welcomed the agreement, saying: "What it is really about is trying to get across to people what you stand for, what you want to do, why you are passionate about the changes you want to bring to this country." | Mr Cameron said he welcomed the agreement, saying: "What it is really about is trying to get across to people what you stand for, what you want to do, why you are passionate about the changes you want to bring to this country." |
| Mr Clegg said: "I think people will be put under real scrutiny. Four-and-a-half hours is plenty of time to have a good look at the leaders, so I think that is a big plus about these debates." | Mr Clegg said: "I think people will be put under real scrutiny. Four-and-a-half hours is plenty of time to have a good look at the leaders, so I think that is a big plus about these debates." |
| Mr Brown is expected to make a statement soon. | Mr Brown is expected to make a statement soon. |
| A spokesperson for the joint broadcasting panel said: "We warmly welcome the agreement by the party leaders to take part in these innovative programmes. | A spokesperson for the joint broadcasting panel said: "We warmly welcome the agreement by the party leaders to take part in these innovative programmes. |
| "We were delighted by the positive atmosphere in all our dealings with the parties over the last few months, and the agreement we are jointly announcing today represents a major step forward in the way election campaigns can reach the entire population." | "We were delighted by the positive atmosphere in all our dealings with the parties over the last few months, and the agreement we are jointly announcing today represents a major step forward in the way election campaigns can reach the entire population." |
| The first debate, themed on domestic affairs, will be held in the north west of England, with ITV newsreader Alastair Stewart moderating. | The first debate, themed on domestic affairs, will be held in the north west of England, with ITV newsreader Alastair Stewart moderating. |
| The second, focusing on global issues, will take place in south west England, with Sky's political editor Adam Boulton in charge. | The second, focusing on global issues, will take place in south west England, with Sky's political editor Adam Boulton in charge. |
| Time restrictions | Time restrictions |
| And the third, broadcast by the BBC from the Midlands, will be moderated by Question Time host David Dimbleby and deal with the economy. | And the third, broadcast by the BBC from the Midlands, will be moderated by Question Time host David Dimbleby and deal with the economy. |
| Mr Clegg will speak first in the first debate, with Mr Brown and Mr Cameron doing so in the subsequent sessions. | Mr Clegg will speak first in the first debate, with Mr Brown and Mr Cameron doing so in the subsequent sessions. |
| The sessions will be broadcast on weekday evenings, with the exact dates to be decided once the prime minister calls the election - it is widely expected to be held on 6 May. | The sessions will be broadcast on weekday evenings, with the exact dates to be decided once the prime minister calls the election - it is widely expected to be held on 6 May. |
| The leaders' statements, answers and rebuttals are all subject to time restrictions - usually one minute, but with a longer closing statement of one minute 30 seconds at the end of each programme | The leaders' statements, answers and rebuttals are all subject to time restrictions - usually one minute, but with a longer closing statement of one minute 30 seconds at the end of each programme |
| The broadcasters have jointly appointed the market research company ICM to recruit an audience with a broad cross-section of views . | The broadcasters have jointly appointed the market research company ICM to recruit an audience with a broad cross-section of views . |
| The BBC will be talking to the relevant parties in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland about the details of these debates. | The BBC will be talking to the relevant parties in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland about the details of these debates. |