British PM On Board for U.S.-Style Televised Debate

LONDON: British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has agreed to take part in televised debates, initiatied by the BBC, ITV and Sky News, among party leaders in the run-up to the general election.

"It is right that there will be a strong focus on the leaders’ debates and it is right that in a Cabinet system of government that ministers and opposition ministers also debate the issues in a series of debates on television and radio too," Brown said in a letter posted to his Labour Party’s website.

The debates are expected to feature Brown, Conservative Party leader David Cameron and Liberal Democrat Nick Clegg. The debates were jointly proposed by the BBC, ITV and Sky. Each will be responsible for producing and broadcasting one debate between all three party leaders. Each debate will be aired live by the originating broadcaster and will be subsequently made available to the other networks. Sky, the BBC and ITV have formed a joint team to discuss detailed plans with the political parties.