This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32001383

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Election debates agreement reached Election debates agreement reached
(35 minutes later)
Broadcasters say a deal over the TV election debates has been reached, with PM David Cameron taking part in one with seven party leaders but no head-to-head with Labour's Ed Miliband.Broadcasters say a deal over the TV election debates has been reached, with PM David Cameron taking part in one with seven party leaders but no head-to-head with Labour's Ed Miliband.
The live debate with the seven leaders will take place on ITV on 2 April, moderated by Julie Etchingham.The live debate with the seven leaders will take place on ITV on 2 April, moderated by Julie Etchingham.
A debate on 16 April on the BBC will involve five opposition party leaders.A debate on 16 April on the BBC will involve five opposition party leaders.
The PM and Mr Miliband will separately take part in a live question and answer programme on Channel 4 and Sky News.The PM and Mr Miliband will separately take part in a live question and answer programme on Channel 4 and Sky News.
The 90-minute programme presented by Jeremy Paxman and Kay Burley will take place on 26 March.The 90-minute programme presented by Jeremy Paxman and Kay Burley will take place on 26 March.
'Highly valued''Highly valued'
The BBC, ITV, Sky and Channel 4 said the announcement follows talks with the parties.The BBC, ITV, Sky and Channel 4 said the announcement follows talks with the parties.
A spokesperson for the broadcasters said: "We're delighted that there will be a debate with all the party leaders during the election campaign. The debate on 2 April will build on the success of the 2010 TV debates which were so highly valued by viewers."A spokesperson for the broadcasters said: "We're delighted that there will be a debate with all the party leaders during the election campaign. The debate on 2 April will build on the success of the 2010 TV debates which were so highly valued by viewers."
But opposition parties complained Downing Street had been allowed to influence the format of the debates.But opposition parties complained Downing Street had been allowed to influence the format of the debates.
The debate involving opposition party leaders will be moderated by David Dimbleby.The debate involving opposition party leaders will be moderated by David Dimbleby.
It will feature Mr Miliband, UKIP's Nigel Farage, SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, Natalie Bennett from the Greens and Plaid Cymru's Leanne Wood.It will feature Mr Miliband, UKIP's Nigel Farage, SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, Natalie Bennett from the Greens and Plaid Cymru's Leanne Wood.
The BBC says it will ensure "fair representation" of the Northern Ireland parties, as well as the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, to ensure impartiality, although the details of how this will be achieved are yet to be finalised. Earlier this week, the DUP said it was examining whether to pursue legal action against its exclusion from the debates.The BBC says it will ensure "fair representation" of the Northern Ireland parties, as well as the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, to ensure impartiality, although the details of how this will be achieved are yet to be finalised. Earlier this week, the DUP said it was examining whether to pursue legal action against its exclusion from the debates.
There will also be a special Question Time on BBC One, a week before polling day, with David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg appearing separately on the programme to answer questions from a studio audience.There will also be a special Question Time on BBC One, a week before polling day, with David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg appearing separately on the programme to answer questions from a studio audience.
Weeks of wrangling between the political parties and the broadcasters had cast doubt on whether the leaders' debates - first held in 2010 when Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg participated in three events - would be repeated before the 7 May poll.Weeks of wrangling between the political parties and the broadcasters had cast doubt on whether the leaders' debates - first held in 2010 when Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg participated in three events - would be repeated before the 7 May poll.
Mr Cameron rejected proposals because they did not include the Greens. But last week the prime minister said while he would not participate in a debate after the start of the campaign on 30 March, he had signed up to a "formal offer" for a new format of TV election programmes, including the one multi-party debate.Mr Cameron rejected proposals because they did not include the Greens. But last week the prime minister said while he would not participate in a debate after the start of the campaign on 30 March, he had signed up to a "formal offer" for a new format of TV election programmes, including the one multi-party debate.
The Labour leader, however, challenged the prime minister to agree to the head-to-head debate, claiming he was going to "any lengths" to avoid it.The Labour leader, however, challenged the prime minister to agree to the head-to-head debate, claiming he was going to "any lengths" to avoid it.
The scheduleThe schedule
'Dictating the debates''Dictating the debates'
Responding to the announcement, a Labour Party spokesman said: "Due to the cowardice of David Cameron the two leaders will not be on stage at the same time to debate each other." Responding to the announcement from broadcasters, a Labour Party spokesman said: "Due to the cowardice of David Cameron the two leaders will not be on stage at the same time to debate each other."
He added: "The prime minister's repeated attempts to dictate the abandonment of these TV programmes to independent broadcasters is deeply worrying."He added: "The prime minister's repeated attempts to dictate the abandonment of these TV programmes to independent broadcasters is deeply worrying."
But a Tory source quoted by the Press Association said "if anything this is an improvement on the deal we were offered last week. The PM has always believed too many debates would suck the life out of the campaign".But a Tory source quoted by the Press Association said "if anything this is an improvement on the deal we were offered last week. The PM has always believed too many debates would suck the life out of the campaign".
A Liberal Democrat spokesman said: "We have told the broadcasters that we will take part in the proposed format, just as we have said we would take part in all the proposed packages to date... despite our strong objections to being excluded from any TV debate or interview."A Liberal Democrat spokesman said: "We have told the broadcasters that we will take part in the proposed format, just as we have said we would take part in all the proposed packages to date... despite our strong objections to being excluded from any TV debate or interview."
Mr Farage described the situation as an "utter farce"Mr Farage described the situation as an "utter farce"
He tweeted: "TV debates are now so far from the original proposals. Broadcasters should be ashamed. They've kowtowed to manipulation from Downing Street."He tweeted: "TV debates are now so far from the original proposals. Broadcasters should be ashamed. They've kowtowed to manipulation from Downing Street."
Green Party leader Natalie Bennett welcome the "end of the debate about the debates," adding that "David Cameron's intransigence has delayed this process, and taken away space in which we might have been debating the future of Britain".Green Party leader Natalie Bennett welcome the "end of the debate about the debates," adding that "David Cameron's intransigence has delayed this process, and taken away space in which we might have been debating the future of Britain".
Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood said: "No politician should be able to choose whether to be held accountable or not... Though it falls short of the original proposals, I welcome this statement from the broadcasters.Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood said: "No politician should be able to choose whether to be held accountable or not... Though it falls short of the original proposals, I welcome this statement from the broadcasters.
"It's important that people in Wales and the other nations in the UK are presented with a true reflection of the choice facing them.""It's important that people in Wales and the other nations in the UK are presented with a true reflection of the choice facing them."