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Leaders ready for first TV debate Leaders ready for first TV debate
(19 minutes 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' emails.They will answer questions chosen by the audience and from viewers' emails.
ITV1 will broadcast the show from 2030 BST in Manchester. Sky and BBC One will host debates on successive Thursdays.ITV1 will broadcast the show from 2030 BST in Manchester. Sky and BBC One will host debates on successive Thursdays.
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.
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 Gordon BrownYou'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 Gordon Brown
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.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 was planning to take "a long walk in the countryside" to prepare.Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg was planning to take "a long walk in the countryside" to prepare.
On Wednesday Gordon Brown told ITV1 "he was not nervous, but determined to get our views across".On Wednesday Gordon Brown told ITV1 "he was not nervous, but determined to get our views across".
He 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."He 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."
Asked why he had agreed to do it, Mr Brown said: "I think the public in this television age have got a right to see the different parties' prospectuses through their leaders, and I think people will be able to judge whether our policies are better."Asked why he had agreed to do it, Mr Brown said: "I think the public in this television age have got a right to see the different parties' prospectuses through their leaders, and I think people will be able to judge whether our policies are better."
'Historic first''Historic first'
Conservative leader David Cameron said he was nervous but was "looking forward to it".Conservative leader David Cameron said he was nervous but was "looking forward to it".
"It is an historic first for our country to have live televised debates between the people putting themselves forward to be prime minister."It is an historic first for our country to have live televised debates between the people putting themselves forward to be prime minister.
"It is a great opportunity to try to communicate to those millions of people in our country who are switched off politics.""It is a great opportunity to try to communicate to those millions of people in our country who are switched off politics."
The three leaders will each get to give a one-minute opening speech TV DEBATES class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8561683.stm">How are leaders preparing? class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8620166.stm">Analysis: Seven things to watch class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8620426.stm">Poll watch: Will debates matter? class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8615126.stm">Debate lessons from Australia class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8586835.stm">Past debates from around the world
Mr Clegg said he "wouldn't be human" if he wasn't excited about the live debates.Mr Clegg said he "wouldn't be human" if he wasn't excited about the live debates.
"It's like having one big huge job interview in front of the whole nation," he said. "But the main thing is I know myself well enough, I've actually got to enjoy it."It's like having one big huge job interview in front of the whole nation," he said. "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.""That's what I want to do, instead of constantly worrying about saying this or that or getting that fact wrong or right."
BBC political editor Nick Robinson said all three had been hard at work practising for the debate - in Mr Cameron's rehearsals, shadow immigration minister Damian Green had been playing the role of Mr Brown; while the prime minister had enlisted Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair's former director of communications, to play the Tory leader.BBC political editor Nick Robinson said all three had been hard at work practising for the debate - in Mr Cameron's rehearsals, shadow immigration minister Damian Green had been playing the role of Mr Brown; while the prime minister had enlisted Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair's former director of communications, to play the Tory leader.
Strict rulesStrict rules
He added that it was also a big night for Mr Clegg, and a question of whether he has just a "walk on part", or if he can show he should be treated as someone ready to claim his place in high office.He added that it was also a big night for Mr Clegg, and a question of whether he has just a "walk on part", or if he can show he should be treated as someone ready to claim his place in high office.
The debates are bound by more than 70 rules agreed after weeks of negotiations between senior Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat officials, and the broadcasters.The debates are bound by more than 70 rules agreed after weeks of negotiations between senior Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat officials, and the broadcasters.
Before the questions begin, Mr Brown, Mr Cameron, and Mr Clegg 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, Mr Brown, Mr Cameron, and Mr Clegg will be allowed to make a one-minute opening address, and a 90-second closing statement at the end of the show.
The audiences 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 audiences 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 nation's verdict will come not from the pundits and the commentators, but in the days to come Read Nick Robinson's blogThe nation's verdict will come not from the pundits and the commentators, but in the days to come Read Nick Robinson's blog
They will also not be allowed to ask their questions directly, instead they will be presented on their behalf by the presenter of each show, which in ITV1's case is Alastair Stewart.They will also not be allowed to ask their questions directly, instead they will be presented on their behalf by the presenter of each show, which in ITV1's case is Alastair Stewart.
Mr Brown, Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg will have a time limit enforced on their answers.Mr Brown, Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg will have a time limit enforced 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".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.
Broadcasters drew lots on the order in which debates will be screened and the themes.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 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.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%.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%.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.• 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.