The Labour party has challenged David Cameron to state whether he will take part in the TV leaders’ debates in the runup to May’s general election.

The running order of the three debates was revealed on Monday following the drawing of lots between the broadcasters involved. A head-to-head debate between Cameron and Ed Miliband is last on the schedule, on 30 April, days before the vote. It is to be presented by Jeremy Paxman and Kay Burley.

Douglas Alexander, Labour’s campaign co-ordinator, has written to the Conservative chairman, Grant Shapps, promising that Miliband will be available for the Channel 4/Sky News debate and demanding to know whether Cameron will also be present.

“I am sure you will agree this is a credible debate and an excellent opportunity for the British people to watch the two leaders who stand a realistic chance of being prime minister after 7 May,” he wrote.

“I am happy to confirm on Mr Miliband’s behalf that he will turn up to debate Mr Cameron on 30 April. Can you today confirm that Mr Cameron will be there too?

“Failure to answer this question will lead many to conclude that you and Mr Cameron are reluctant to give the British people the chance to make up their own minds. The broadcasters have set the date. The invitation is in the post. The only question remaining is whether David Cameron is willing to go head-to-head with Ed Miliband.”

The first two debates, on 2 and 16 April, are to be hosted by ITV and the BBC and are due to feature the leaders of the Green party, Scottish National party and Plaid Cymru as well as Cameron, Miliband, Nick Clegg of the Liberal Democrats and Ukip’s Nigel Farage.



The broadcasters have been in constant dialogue with the political parties in order to get the debates on air, with the publication of the timetable the clearest indication yet that they will happen.

Cameron’s aides are said to be reluctant for the prime minister to take part, fearing that Farage may benefit in a similar way to Clegg five years ago. But they are keeping their options open, and other parties oppose the format, notably the Lib Dems since they will be lumped in with the other minor parties and excluded from the main debate.

Cameron prompted an overhaul of the broadcasters’ original proposals for the debates after he objected to Farage taking part without the Greens. He said last month that he wanted the debates to take place before the official election campaign begins at the end of March.



“Last time I found, although the debates were excellent and I enjoyed taking part in them, they took all the life out of the election campaign, no one could talk about anything else,” he said.

The BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky said last month they would “empty chair” any party leaders who refused to take part in the proposed debates.

ITV’s debate, hosted by Julie Etchingham, is to be held on 2 April, followed by the BBC event fronted by David Dimbleby on 16 April.

Leader debates hosted by the main broadcasters are not the only offer on the table. Guardian News & Media and Telegraph Media Group have proposed an internet debate with a female moderator to be streamed live in a partnership with YouTube.

