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TV debates 2015: When are the leaders debates and who will face who? | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Broadcasters have announced that a deal to show TV election debates has been reached, with PM David Cameron set to take part in one with seven party leaders. | |
Labour leader Ed Milliband’s challenge to the PM for a one-on-one debate has been unsuccessful with no head-to-head scheduled. | |
The live debate with seven leaders, representing the Conservative, Labour, UKIP, SNP, Green and Plaid Cymru parties, will be broadcast on ITV on 2 April and will be moderated by Mary Etchingham. | |
A debate between five opposition party leaders, representing the Labour, the SNP, the Greens, Plaid Cymru and UKIP parties will be broadcast on the BBC and moderated by David Dimbleby. | |
The PM and Mr Milliband will also take part in a live question and answer programme on Channel 4 and Sky News and will be interviewed separately before answering questions from a live studio audience. | |
The 90-minute programme which will be presented by Jeremy Paxman and Kay Burley will take place on 26 March. | |
The BBC, ITV, Sky and Channel 4 said that the announcement follows talks with the parties. | |
A spokesman for the broadcaster 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.” | |
There will also be a special Question Time on the BBC on 30th April, a week before polling day during which David Cameron, Ed Milliband and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg will be appearing separately on the programme to answer questions from a live studio audience. | |
Cameron had previously stated that he would not participate in a debate at the start of the campaign on 30 March but indicated that he had signed up to a “formal offer” for a new format of TV election programmes, including the one multi-party debate. | |
Milliband has accused the PM of going to “any lengths” to avoid a head-to-head debate.” | |
The schedule: | |
26 March: Live Question and answer programme on Channel 5 and Sky News featuring David Cameron and Ed Milliband, presented by Jeremy Paxman and Kay Burley | |
2 April: Debate with seven party leaders on ITV, moderated by Julie Etchingham | |
16 April: Debate between five opposition party leaders on the BBC, moderated by David Dimbleby | |
30 April: BBC Question Time programme with David Cameron, Ed Milliband and Nick Clegg, presented by David Dimbleby | |