Prime Minister and Labour Leader Gordon Brown, Conservative leader David Cameron and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg will participate in the first ever UK General Election Live TV Leaders Debates: three debates are planned in the final days of the 2010 general election.

Labour’s Leader, Gordon Brown, said:

It is right that we set the issues before the British people. Others can work out the details but what’s important for the country is that there is a wide ranging series of television and radio debates with party leaders that are also able to devote attention to the central issues that matter to families: the economy, public services, how we strengthen our communities, and how we work with the rest of the world.

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.

I relish the opportunity of making our case directly to the people of this country.

Conservative Leader, David Cameron said:

The case for a televised debate is compelling: it would engage the public, help answer their questions, and bring a General Election alive.

I am delighted that Sky has taken the lead and is now organising a television debate, and I look forward to taking part.

As you say, other countries have benefited from having televised debates at election time, and I also thought the television debates worked well during the last Conservative leadership campaign.

Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons are no substitute for a proper primetime studio debate.

Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg said:

This is exactly the kind of setting that is right in modern politics.

Particularly at a time when people have become so fed up with Westminster and the over-ceremonial way in which everyone slags each other off across the dispatch box.

I think they want to see something more accessible, more easily understood, and I think debates with all three party leaders would be a good strong step in the right direction in doing that.