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Leaders ready for first TV debate Leaders ready for first TV debate
(about 1 hour later)
Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg are preparing to make political history by taking part in Britain's first ever prime ministerial TV debate.Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg are preparing to make political history by taking part in Britain's first ever prime ministerial TV debate.
The party leaders have been rehearsing intensively for the 90-minute US-style live broadcast, in which every word and gesture will be analysed.The party leaders have been rehearsing intensively for the 90-minute US-style live broadcast, in which every word and gesture will be analysed.
They will answer questions chosen by the audience and from viewers' e-mails.They will answer questions chosen by the audience and from viewers' e-mails.
ITV1 will broadcast the show from 2030 BST in Manchester. Sky and the BBC will host debates on successive Thursdays.ITV1 will broadcast the show from 2030 BST in Manchester. Sky and the BBC will host debates on successive Thursdays.
In other election news on Thursday:In other election news on Thursday:
The first of the three clashes will focus on domestic affairs, but leaders can air other issues.The first of the three clashes will focus on domestic affairs, but leaders can air other issues.
Cameron 'excited but nervous' about debateCameron 'excited but nervous' about debate
Ahead of the debate, both Labour and the Conservatives were playing down their leaders' chances, Labour sources saying Mr Brown was the incumbent and on the back foot - the Conservatives saying he would be a formidable opponent. Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg says he is going to take a long walk to prepare. BBC News Channel chief political correspondent Laura Kuenssberg said Mr Clegg's team faced a dilemma about whether he should join in or stand aside, if Mr Brown and Mr Cameron lock horns.
Out campaigning in the marginal seat of Bolton West - Ruth Kelly's old seat - Mr Brown said he was "looking forward to it". Asked if he was feeling nervous, he said: "I don't think anybody goes into something new without feeling something about what's going to happen. Mr Brown's team's main worry was whether the prime minister - who prides himself on his mastery of policy detail - will be able to give punchy answers within the time limit given to leaders. The Conservatives' main worry is that Mr Cameron, who is ahead in the polls, has the most to lose.
Out campaigning in the marginal seat of Bolton West Mr Brown said he was "looking forward to it". Asked if he was feeling nervous, he said: "I don't think anybody goes into something new without feeling something about what's going to happen.
"But equally it's a chance to talk directly to the country. I was looking for this chance to talk directly to the people of this country and that's what I'm going to do.""But equally it's a chance to talk directly to the country. I was looking for this chance to talk directly to the people of this country and that's what I'm going to do."
'Historic first''Historic first'
Labour's election strategist Lord Mandelson tells reporters that the prime minister "does not show fear" and regards the debates as "just one more thing he has got to get right." He adds Mr Brown is "more PM than PR. He's got to be himself. He's not packagable, he's not an actor, he's going to have to be himself for better or for worse". Labour's election strategist Lord Mandelson tells reporters that the prime minister "does not show fear" and regards the debates as "just one more thing he has got to get right." He said Mr Brown was "more PM than PR. He's got to be himself. He's not package-able, he's not an actor, he's going to have to be himself for better or for worse".
Conservative leader David Cameron, who has been out with his wife Samantha campaigning in Halifax, West Yorkshire, said he was taking it "easy-ish" ahead of the debate. He said his main worries were "about not getting it right, about not getting the point across you want to make, those sorts of things.Conservative leader David Cameron, who has been out with his wife Samantha campaigning in Halifax, West Yorkshire, said he was taking it "easy-ish" ahead of the debate. He said his main worries were "about not getting it right, about not getting the point across you want to make, those sorts of things.
"But above all, I am looking forward to it because it is a great opportunity. Normally you have to deal with the 30-second soundbite on the news and all politicians I think feel frustrated that we can't talk directly to the public about the problems the country has and what we would do to solve them." FULL GUIDE TO TV DEBATES class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8620426.stm">Poll watch: Will debates matter? class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8587362.stm">Q&A: The TV debate rules class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8622581.stm">A knock-out competition? class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8561683.stm">How leaders trained for it class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8620166.stm">Analysis: Seven things to watch class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8615126.stm">Debate lessons from Australia class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8612153.stm">The 46-year wait for clash
FULL GUIDE TO TV DEBATES class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8620426.stm">Poll watch: Will debates matter? class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8587362.stm">Q&A: The TV debate rules class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8561683.stm">How leaders trained for it class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8620166.stm">Analysis: Seven things to watch class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8615126.stm">Debate lessons from Australia class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8586835.stm">Debates around the world class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8612153.stm">The 46-year wait for clash "But above all, I am looking forward to it because it is a great opportunity. Normally you have to deal with the 30-second sound bite on the news and all politicians, I think, feel frustrated that we can't talk directly to the public about the problems the country has and what we would do to solve them."
He said it should not been seen as a fight, with leaders trying to land knockout blows: "The metaphors of boxing and bouts is wrong. If that's what it's about it will, I do not think, be the right thing.He said it should not been seen as a fight, with leaders trying to land knockout blows: "The metaphors of boxing and bouts is wrong. If that's what it's about it will, I do not think, be the right thing.
"What it should be about is trying to explain how we get out of the hole we are in.""What it should be about is trying to explain how we get out of the hole we are in."
Mr Clegg, who was campaigning in Manchester city centre on Thursday, said he had just been to see the set and was "looking forward to it".Mr Clegg, who was campaigning in Manchester city centre on Thursday, said he had just been to see the set and was "looking forward to it".
"The nerves are there," he told reporters, adding he had had an early night: "I just want to be myself, answer the questions and probably most difficult of all - given all the hype - just enjoy it." "The nerves are there," he told reporters.
"I just want to be myself, answer the questions and probably most difficult of all - given all the hype - just enjoy it."
"I just really hope - that was the whole point of this - it wasn't for one politician to score a better point off another, it was to give people a sense about what the leaders are like and therefore give them more reason to go out and vote.""I just really hope - that was the whole point of this - it wasn't for one politician to score a better point off another, it was to give people a sense about what the leaders are like and therefore give them more reason to go out and vote."
'False choice''False choice'
For the SNP, Scotland's Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "While London politicians are sitting in party headquarters rehearsing for sterile leaders' debates, the SNP is out in our communities speaking to local people." The SNP are annoyed not to be included in prime ministerial debates - the BBC is to hold separate party leader election debates in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru will not take part in the debate, although the BBC is to hold separate leaders debates in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
For the SNP, Scotland's Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "While London politicians are sitting in party headquarters rehearsing for sterile leaders' debates, the SNP is out in our communities speaking to local people."
Clegg on debate preparationsClegg on debate preparations
And Plaid Cymru's leader Ieuan Wyn Jones told the BBC many issues that would be debated had been devolved to Scotland and Wales.And Plaid Cymru's leader Ieuan Wyn Jones told the BBC many issues that would be debated had been devolved to Scotland and Wales.
"It doesn't reflect well on the broadcasters that they haven't recognised that the politics of the United Kingdom is now entirely different to how it was 10 years ago with devolution," he said."It doesn't reflect well on the broadcasters that they haven't recognised that the politics of the United Kingdom is now entirely different to how it was 10 years ago with devolution," he said.
"It is a false choice people are being given, in Wales this is being broadcast as though the only options is Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrats - in Wales it is a four-party system.""It is a false choice people are being given, in Wales this is being broadcast as though the only options is Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrats - in Wales it is a four-party system."
The nation's verdict will come not from the pundits and the commentators, but in the days to come Read Nick Robinson's blog Will you be watching?
The debates are bound by more than 70 rules agreed after weeks of negotiations between the parties and the broadcasters.The debates are bound by more than 70 rules agreed after weeks of negotiations between the parties and the broadcasters.
Before the questions begin, the leaders will be allowed to make a one-minute opening address, and a 90-second closing statement at the end of the show.Before the questions begin, the leaders will be allowed to make a one-minute opening address, and a 90-second closing statement at the end of the show.
The audience will be asked to applaud at the start and end of the programmes, and will not be allowed to make any response to the answers or comments given by the three leaders. The audience will be asked to applaud at the start and end of the programmes, and will not be able to respond to leaders' answers, not ask questions directly - they will be put to the leaders by the presenter.
Opinion polls
They will also not be allowed to ask their questions directly, instead they will be presented on their behalf by the presenter.
Mr Brown, Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg will have a time limit on their answers.
With the three only set to face eight questions on Thursday night, Mr Cameron said he was concerned the debate risked being "slow and sluggish".
Most of the 200-strong audience in each debate will be picked by pollsters ICM from the local area to ensure a balance of gender, age, ethnicity, social class and voting intention.Most of the 200-strong audience in each debate will be picked by pollsters ICM from the local area to ensure a balance of gender, age, ethnicity, social class and voting intention.
The nation's verdict will come not from the pundits and the commentators, but in the days to come Read Nick Robinson's blog Will you be watching?
Broadcasters drew lots on the order in which debates will be screened and the themes.
Sky News will be showing the second debate on Thursday, 22 April, which will look at foreign affairs. The final debate on BBC One on Thursday, 29 April will focus on the economy.Sky News will be showing the second debate on Thursday, 22 April, which will look at foreign affairs. The final debate on BBC One on Thursday, 29 April will focus on the economy.
The first debate comes after two opinion polls said the Conservatives had seen an increase in support.
The YouGov daily tracker poll for The Sun said on Wednesday night that the Conservatives had extended their lead over Labour to nine points.
It puts the Tories on 41%, up two points on the previous day, with Labour up one on 32%, and the Lib Dems down two on 18%.
A separate poll for the Daily Telegraph said the Conservatives were leading Labour in 100 key marginal constituencies. It put the Tories on 43%, with Labour on 31%, and the Lib Dems on 20%.
• The First Election Debate programme will be shown on ITV1 on Thursday, 15 April, starting at 2030 BST. In Scotland it will be shown on STV, and on UTV in Northern Ireland. You can listen to it live on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 5 Live.• The First Election Debate programme will be shown on ITV1 on Thursday, 15 April, starting at 2030 BST. In Scotland it will be shown on STV, and on UTV in Northern Ireland. You can listen to it live on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 5 Live.