Call for Brown to face TV debate

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Gordon Brown should take part in a series of head-to-head television debates with opposition leaders, Sir Menzies Campbell has said.

The Liberal Democrat leader told the BBC's The World Tonight he wants a public showdown after the chancellor was elected Labour leader unopposed.

The idea is backed by Conservative leader David Cameron, who says a TV debate would "bring politics to life".

However a Labour source said the calls for a TV debate were "a silly stunt".

Televised debates between politicians are common practice in the United States and elsewhere, but Tony Blair refused to take part in any during his three general election campaigns.

Writing in his internet blog, Mr Cameron said: "I hope in the next few days Gordon Brown will make clear that once he's actually the Labour leader and Prime Minister he'll take part in proper TV debates that could really help bring politics to life."

Sir Menzies went a step further, calling on Mr Brown to be quizzed on camera before he enters No 10 on 27 June.

In a letter to the chancellor, he said people were being deprived of discussion over his "vision for the country" and needed to hear his views on poverty, the environment, crime, pensions and Iraq.

Mr Brown secured 313 of the 353 nominations available from Labour MPs.

He has said he will tour the UK for six weeks before taking office.