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UKIP's Nigel Farage invited on leaders' TV debate UKIP's Nigel Farage invited on leaders' TV debate
(about 2 hours later)
UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage has been invited to take part in a TV debate with David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg ahead of next year's general election.UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage has been invited to take part in a TV debate with David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg ahead of next year's general election.
The BBC, ITV, Sky and Channel 4 have announced plans to hold three debates.The BBC, ITV, Sky and Channel 4 have announced plans to hold three debates.
One would involve a head-to-head debate between just the Conservative and Labour leaders, and another would include the Liberal Democrat leader. The others would be a head-to-head debate between just the Conservative and Labour leaders, and one with them and the Liberal Democrat leader.
The other debate would involve all three leaders plus Mr Farage. But the SNP, the Green Party, Plaid Cymru all criticised the proposals.
The broadcasters said the proposed formats reflected "changes in the political landscape" since the three prime ministerial debates during the 2010 general election, which featured Conservative Mr Cameron, Labour's Gordon Brown and Lib Dem Mr Clegg.The broadcasters said the proposed formats reflected "changes in the political landscape" since the three prime ministerial debates during the 2010 general election, which featured Conservative Mr Cameron, Labour's Gordon Brown and Lib Dem Mr Clegg.
UKIP has its first MP, following the success of Conservative defector Douglas Carswell in the Clacton by-election last week. It has also consistently out-polled the Liberal Democrats in recent months.UKIP has its first MP, following the success of Conservative defector Douglas Carswell in the Clacton by-election last week. It has also consistently out-polled the Liberal Democrats in recent months.
Responding to the broadcasters' offer, Mr Farage said: "The decision is better than it could have been. It does at least recognise the increasing popularity of UKIP. However if the political landscape continues to change we would expect and ask for inclusion in a second debate."Responding to the broadcasters' offer, Mr Farage said: "The decision is better than it could have been. It does at least recognise the increasing popularity of UKIP. However if the political landscape continues to change we would expect and ask for inclusion in a second debate."
A Conservative Party spokesman said: "We note the request and will respond accordingly."
But the Liberal Democrats reiterated their previously stated position "that we would be prepared to sign up to the same 3-3-3 system we had in 2010".But the Liberal Democrats reiterated their previously stated position "that we would be prepared to sign up to the same 3-3-3 system we had in 2010".
A spokesman added: "We do not accept the proposal that the Liberal Democrats, as a party of government, should be prevented from defending our record in one of the TV debates."A spokesman added: "We do not accept the proposal that the Liberal Democrats, as a party of government, should be prevented from defending our record in one of the TV debates."
Deputy SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: "Dear broadcasters - what about UK's third biggest political party the @snp?"
Green Party leader Natalie Bennett said: "With these statements the broadcasters are demonstrating just how out of touch they are with the public mood, and how ridiculously they cling to the idea that the future of politics looks like the past.Green Party leader Natalie Bennett said: "With these statements the broadcasters are demonstrating just how out of touch they are with the public mood, and how ridiculously they cling to the idea that the future of politics looks like the past.
"It is clear from votes and polls that the public are fed up with the three business-as-usual parties and are looking around for alternatives.""It is clear from votes and polls that the public are fed up with the three business-as-usual parties and are looking around for alternatives."
The broadcasters have written to the party leaders to invite them to take part. Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood said: "Broadcasters have shown themselves to be out of touch by clinging on to the notion that there is no alternative to the tired Westminster elite.
"The people of Wales deserve nothing less than to hear what all parties have to offer them and we will be taking immediate steps to ensure that this happens."
The suggested schedule is for debates on 2, 16 and 30 April, ahead of the election on 7 May.The suggested schedule is for debates on 2, 16 and 30 April, ahead of the election on 7 May.
There would be:There would be:
The BBC's chief political adviser, Ric Bailey, said organising debates was incredibly complicated", adding: "We think this is a fair and realistic proposal. What we are really doing now is inviting the party leaders to talk about that."
The suggestions were based on "objective data", including "electoral support, what happened in the past" and "current support, in terms of opinion polls".
The last general election campaign saw the first televised leaders' debates, attracting 22 million viewers and dominating coverage.The last general election campaign saw the first televised leaders' debates, attracting 22 million viewers and dominating coverage.
The broadcasters said next year's versions would take into account "developments in digital media" and each is understood to be available to other broadcasters to air.The broadcasters said next year's versions would take into account "developments in digital media" and each is understood to be available to other broadcasters to air.
There are plans to work with social media organisations such as Twitter and Facebook "to ensure the widest possible audience engagement".There are plans to work with social media organisations such as Twitter and Facebook "to ensure the widest possible audience engagement".
The directors of BBC Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are writing to the leaders of the main political parties in each nation inviting them to discuss setting up general election debates.The directors of BBC Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are writing to the leaders of the main political parties in each nation inviting them to discuss setting up general election debates.
They are proposing debates during the campaign which would be screened in each nation and be available across the UK.They are proposing debates during the campaign which would be screened in each nation and be available across the UK.
Mr Clegg and Mr Farage also went head-to head in two debates in March and April this year on whether the UK should remain in the European Union.Mr Clegg and Mr Farage also went head-to head in two debates in March and April this year on whether the UK should remain in the European Union.