`Empty chair' threat to Brown by Sky TV
CONSERVATIVE lead David Cameron and the Liberal Democrats' Nick Clegg have accepted an invitation to take part in a televised leaders' debate during campaigning for the next general election.
Graham Dines
CONSERVATIVE lead David Cameron and the Liberal Democrats' Nick Clegg have accepted an invitation to take part in a televised leaders' debate during campaigning for the next general election.
Sky News will host the live debate, warning that it will “empty chair” any leader who declines to take part.
With the Tory and Lib Dem leaders welcoming a TV debate, Sky News is openly challenging Prime Minister Gordon Brown to put up or shut up.
TV debates are a regular feature of United States presidential elections, but have never happened in British general elections, largely because of the nervousness of prime ministers to allow opposition parties to take pot shots.
In a letter to the three party leaders, the head of Sky News John Ryley said: “With politics - and dare I say, many politicians - currently held in such low regard, to debate publicly the major issues facing Britain away from Westminster, presents a unique opportunity to re-engage a disillusioned electorate.”
Most Read
- 1 Firefighters tackle large blaze near Suffolk recycling centre
- 2 Weather warning as thunderstorms expected to hit Suffolk after heatwave
- 3 Matchday Recap: How Town's 3-0 win against MK unfolded
- 4 Popular carnival's firework display cancelled
- 5 'Peaceful' Suffolk coastal town named one of the best in the UK
- 6 How the Ipswich Town players performed in their victory over MK Dons
- 7 A14 near Ipswich remains partially closed after fire breaks out
- 8 Stu says: Six observations following MK Dons victory
- 9 Man suffers head injuries after being 'seriously' assaulted by 'several' men
- 10 'A really special effort' - McKenna's verdict on 3-0 win v MK Dons
The UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farrage has not been invited, despite his party's second place in June's European Parliament elections in Britain.