Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
British candidates face high-stakes TV debate
|
Edition:
U.S.
Article
Comments (0)
Slideshow
Save
Email
Print
Reprints
Most Popular
Most Shared
Russia says Iran reactor on track for August launch
14 Apr 2010
Broadcaster Larry King seeks 8th divorce
8:33am EDT
Icelandic volcano eruption intensifies
| Video
3:26pm EDT
Psst, hey, want an iPad? Apple fans hit gray market
14 Apr 2010
Factbox: Volcanoes and ash clouds
1:07pm EDT
Artificial pancreas works in 11 patients: study
14 Apr 2010
Sweden, Canada outrank U.S. on healthcare
2:10pm EDT
Russia says Iran reactor on track for August launch
14 Apr 2010
Myanmar festival bombings kill eight, wound 94
| Video
3:24pm EDT
Hotel offers "cycle for your supper" deal
14 Apr 2010
Bernd Debusmann
U.S. aid, Israel and wishful thinking
Providing Israel with generous aid made sense during the Cold War. Does it still? Commentary
British candidates face high-stakes TV debate
Estelle Shirbon
MANCHESTER, England
Thu Apr 15, 2010 4:41pm EDT
Related News
TIMELINE-Timetable for Britain's general election
Mon, Apr 12 2010
UPDATE 3-UK's Brown pledges reform, clashes on economy
Wed, Apr 7 2010
UK's Brown pledges reform, clashes on economy
Wed, Apr 7 2010
UK's Brown, Cameron trade blows over economy, defence
Wed, Apr 7 2010
British parties launch month-long election campaign
Tue, Apr 6 2010
<
1 / 14
>
View Full Size
MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - A new era in British politics begins Thursday with the first televised debate between the three main candidates for prime minister.
World
With a national election due on May 6, millions of voters are still undecided and the 90-minute live broadcast may inject drama into a tightly controlled campaign that has so far struggled to capture the public's imagination.
Asked if he was feeling nervous, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "I don't think anybody goes into something new without feeling something about what's going to happen, but equally it's a chance to talk to the country."
Brown's rivals, Conservative leader David Cameron and Liberal Democrat Nick Clegg, also admitted to nerves before the first of three debates, expected to be watched by millions from 8.30 p.m. (1930 GMT).
It is the first time in a British election campaign that leaders have agreed to a U.S.-style debate, although the discussion will be held under 76 rules including a ban on applause except at the start and end of the debate.
It will be held in the northern English city of Manchester, where locals were critical of politicians in general and unimpressed by the format.
"They can't clap, they can't cheer, they're being told what to ask. It's not a proper debate," said pensioner Dorothy Edgar.
The first debate will cover domestic affairs, with the others focusing on international issues and economic policy.
Cameron, whose party leads in opinion polls, will hope to land a knock-out blow on Brown whose Labor Party, in power for 13 years, has come back into contention after trailing the Conservatives by a double-digit margin for much of last year.
The 43-year-old Cameron is considered the best performer of the three party leaders. A former public relations executive for a television firm, he has youthful looks, a quick wit and an ability to speak fluently without notes.
CONSERVATIVES LEAD IN CLOSE CONTESTS
A poll in the Daily Telegraph Thursday showed the Conservatives leading Labor by 12 points in key seats. That would be enough to make the Conservatives the largest party but not enough to give it an overall majority, an academic said.
Sterling rose to a one-week high against the euro, boosted by the poll. Markets hope for a clear result, fearing that a hung parliament could weaken action to reduce Britain's gaping budget deficit.
Most people questioned in the north London constituency of Finchley and Golders Green, once the seat of former Conservative prime minister Margaret Thatcher but held by Labor since 1997, thought Brown would perform least well in the debate.
"This might clinch the way I vote, because I'll be able to see if they crack under pressure. It's making politics more accessible," self-employed cleaner Ben Miller, 33, said.
A ComRes poll conducted this week found that more than 60 percent of British adults planned to watch the debate. Of those, half said it might influence how they vote.
"This is going to be the biggest night of David Cameron's career," said Andrew Hawkins, chief executive of ComRes.
Most polls now suggest no party will win an overall majority of seats in the lower house of parliament, an outcome not known in Britain since 1974.
If that happens, it may fall to the third biggest party, the Liberal Democrats, to determine who will govern by forming an alliance with the Conservatives or with Labor.
The British system, the political parties and the civil service, have very little experience of handling coalitions that are a familiar part of politics in mainland Europe.
(Additional reporting by Avril Ormsby, Tim Castle)
(Editing by Robert Woodward)
World
Add a Comment
*We welcome comments that advance the story directly or with relevant tangential information. We try to block comments that use offensive language or appear to be spam and review comments frequently to ensure they meet our standards. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters.
More from Reuters
Special Report: Sweethearts in crime
Meet Gaston and Teresita Cantens. Or, Jennifer Wang and Ruben Chen. These husband and wife con artists are no Wall Street novelty act. Reuters investigates the rise in married couples defrauding investors out of millions of dollars. Full Article
SEC watchdog to fault Stanford probe: sources
Corporate Crime
Obama: Mars by the mid-2030s
President Obama vowed to "leap into the future" with the U.S. space program, saying he expects a manned mission to Mars by the mid-2030s. Full Article
Q&A: Pros and cons of Obama's plan
Firms see opportunities in space plan
Easterbrook: NASA needs to save us
Slideshow: Best of NASA
SCIENCE
Iceland volcano hits flights
Volcanic ash and smoke spews into the air, disrupting air traffic across Europe, and the eruption shows no signs of abating. Video | Full Article
Q+A: Why is volcanic ash a threat?
Factbox: Volcanoes and ash clouds
Slideshow: Iceland's volcanic ash
"All four engines have stopped"
World
© Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters
Editorial Editions:
Africa
Arabic
Argentina
Brazil
Canada
China
France
Germany
India
Italy
Japan
Latin America
Mexico
Russia
Spain
United Kingdom
United States
Reuters
Contact Us
Advertise With Us
Help
Journalism Handbook
Archive
Site Index
Video Index
Analyst Research
Mobile
Newsletters
RSS
Podcasts
Widgets
Your View
Labs
Thomson Reuters
Copyright
Disclaimer
Privacy
Professional Products
Professional Products Support
Financial Products
About Thomson Reuters
Careers
Online Products
Acquisitions Monthly
Buyouts
Venture Capital Journal
International Financing Review
Project Finance International
PEhub.com
PE Week
Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.
NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.
Other News on Friday, 16 April 2010 One dead in suicide attack in southern Afghanistan: official
Greece a step closer to EU-IMF aid, asks to discuss loan plan
Remembering cameraman, media seek Israel cooperation
Volcanic ash turns north Europe into no-fly zone
|
Former NSA executive charged in newspaper leak case
Polish president's pilots 'knew plane was doomed'
Mines, bombs injure more Afghan civilians: ICRC
French hoteliers sue US travel site Expedia
EADS 'moving ahead' in tanker bid: exec
Volcanic ash affects flights worldwide
Russia halts U.S. adoptions after boy sent home
|
Ex-Israeli PM Olmert 'named in bribery scandal'
Spanish climber set to continue record-breaking bid
Four German soldiers killed in Afghanistan: military
Huge explosion rocks Afghan city of Kandahar
Afghan attacks kill foreign civilians, 4 German troops
|
New US jobless claims unexpectedly jump
Melissa Etheridge And Tammy Etheridge Split After Nine-Year Relationship
British candidates face high-stakes TV debate
|
Larry King And Estranged Wife Shawn Southwick Had No Prenuptial Agreement
Six powers intensify Iran sanctions talks: envoys
|
Rihanna Gets Fifth Week At #1 On Billboard Hot 100 With "Rude Boy"
Justin Bieber Lands At #1 Again On Billboard With "My World 2.0"
Conan OBrien Heads To TBS For New Late Night Show
Israel's Olmert denies bribery allegations
|
Green Day, Lance Bass, Cat Cora Help Fund Gay-Friendly Prom
Car bombs rock Afghan city of Kandahar killing 6
Fate of Italians detained in Afghanistan unknown
Kyrgyzstan's deposed president flies to Kazakhstan
China's president and Indian premier hold talks: report
China quake survivors endure second night in freezing cold
Russia suspends US adoptions
3 foreigners, 3 Afghan soldiers killed in blast
Explosion shakes southern Afghan city of Kandahar
US air base in Kyrgyzstan resumes all flights
SKorea hoists sunken warship, finds 36 bodies
Official: Sweep on for ex-president's brothers
Melissa Etheridge And Tammy Etheridge Split After Nine-Year Relationship
Larry King And Estranged Wife Shawn Southwick Had No Prenuptial Agreement
Third Grader Suspended After Giving Packets Of Possible Heroin To Classmates
Mysterious Fireball Lights Up Sky Above Six Midwestern States
Brazil, China seal steel pact, other deals at BRIC meet
Kansas City School District Pink Slips All Principals, Vice-Principals
Serbia, China sign contract for the Danube bridge
Lady Gaga, Rihanna Albums Get The Remix Treatment
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Microsoft says investigating China factory report
|
China's 1Q GDP up 11.9 pct, inflation 2.2 pct
New Gene Identified In Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease
China again heads EU's dangerous consumer products list
Poll: Democrats, Republicans Virtually Tied Ahead Of November Elections
China slices US debt holdings amid currency row
We TV Presents New Series Premieres Of Girl Meets Gown And Sunset Daze
Historic China trade deal possible in June: Taiwan president
UPS Q1 Profit Tops Estimates, Bumps Outlook
Unseen photo of French poet Rimbaud unveiled
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Elton John to perform on "Idol Gives Back" special
U2, Stevie Wonder to headline Glastonbury festival
A Minute With; "Glee" music producer Adam Anders
Bookings open for mega Monet exhibition
Gender takes a back seat at women's film fest
Shrek, the Web, transform Tribeca Film Festival
|
Melissa Etheridge and partner split
|
Elton John to perform on Idol Gives Back special
|
Rejected Idol Andrew Garcia rejects boring jibes
|
Perilous adventure travel celebrated in spring books
|
Up to six dead in Afghan attack targeting foreigners
Third man of British politics triumphs in TV clash
Israel must do more for peace
Kyrgyz leader says Bakiyev must stand trial
|
US-TECH Summary
Six powers intensify Iran sanctions talks: envoys
AMD revenue beats Street but shares fall
Hungry survivors await help after China quake
Google, Yahoo countersue Xerox on search patents
Argentina offers debt swap at a third of value
Volcanic ash turns northern Europe into no-fly zone
|
Video game sales jump in March, reversing slide
Obama sets new course to conquer the final frontier
Global temperatures hit 'hottest March on record'
Google gobbling up engineers as profit soars
Obama 100 percent committed to NASA's mission
US general struggles to explain a possible 'cyber war'
US joins Germany, Russia in HP probe: WSJ
Six killed in hospital blast in Pakistan
|
Ning cuts over one-third of staff, to begin charging
Microsoft says investigating China factory report
Tibetans mourn dead as China quake toll hits 791
|
Microsoft says investigating China factory report
Prosecutor: Evidence in Dugard case 'overwhelming'
Israel PM must show sincerity on peace: Clinton
North Korea suspected in blast that sank warship
|
Cuba says drugs, alcohol caused Chilean's death
|
Iceland volcano disrupts Asia-Pacific flights
Myanmar urges vigilance after deadly bombs
Quake sees Tibetan Buddhist monks assert roles
|
Coroner confirms crocodile killed Australian girl
Australian documentary on Thai royals sparks outrage
Hungry survivors await help after China quake
Thai red shirt leaders escape arrest
|
SKorea says external explosion likely sank ship
Pakistan under pressure to probe Bhutto death
|
Six killed in hospital blast in Pakistan
Officials take weapons from Bakiyev compound
Police: Bomber kills 7 at SW Pakistan hospital
New Haruki Murakami novel goes on sale in Japan
Google profit rise fails to impress
|
Speedy scanner re-writes book on publishing technology
|
UN Issues Damaging Report Against Pakistan Government In Bhutto Assassination
AMD revenue beats Street but shares fall
|
United Airways, Continental Airlines Re-Enter Merger Talk
Google, Yahoo countersue Xerox on search patents
|
Iceland's Volcanic Ash Clouds Cancelling Flights To, From Europe
U.S. Ends Aid to Colombian Anti-Drug Agency Accused Of Illegal Wiretapping
Video game sales jump in March, reversing slide
|
Postal Service Seeks to End Saturday Service To Avoid Financial Collapse
Google Q1 Earnings Jump On Robust Ad Revenue
U.S. Markets Rise For Sixth Day On Earnings, Economic Data
Psst, hey, want an iPad? Apple fans hit gray market
|
New volume of Murakami novel goes on sale in Japan
Gervais' "Cemetery" a witless disappointment
Obama orders hospitals to grant gay visitation rights
Samuel L. Jackson eyes modern-day gladiator film
Patton Oswalt suffers another setback
Rihanna leads singles chart for fifth week
Kick-Ass looking for box office win
|
Weinstein brothers to take back Miramax
US agency examines Sony patent infringement claim
Reunited Soundgarden to play Seattle club
Samuel L. Jackson eyes modern-day gladiator film
|
Argentine judge voids Latin America's first gay marriage
Asia-Europe flights halted due to Iceland volcano
Gervais' Cemetery a witless disappointment
|
Seoul shares dip on exporters, airlines
Melissa Etheridge and partner split
|
PREVIEW-Taiwan March export orders seen up 38.6 pct y/y
Harry Potter star to make Broadway musical debut
|
PAKISTAN
Rihanna leads singles chart for fifth week
|
Taiwan dollar rise pauses as lower stocks weigh
Weinstein brothers to take back Miramax
|
Patton Oswalt suffers another setback
|
Malaysia warns Iran after cutting off gasoline supplies
Reunited Soundgarden to play Seattle club
|
Seoul shares dip on exporters, airlines
Toyota conducts safety tests on all SUV models
Rapper Jay-Z sues Red Sox David Ortiz for club name
|
Hyundai to raise steel export prices for May/June
Sudan begins counting in polls marred by boycotts
Greece sets stage for possible EU-IMF bailout
Young adults concerned but naive about privacy: study
Palestinian killed near Israel-Gaza border
Greece lays groundwork for possible EU-IMF aid: PM
Sony Ericsson makes surprise 1st quarter profit
Early BRIC summit wraps up
Speedy scanner re-writes book on publishing technology
Man Shoots Himself In Leg, Tells Police It Was A Drive-By
Lily Collins Lands Role As Taylor Lautners New Film Love Interest
Pakistan probe of Bhutto death faces hurdles
|
Former NSA Official Charged With Leaking Classified Data To Reporter
UK election debate gives third party a boost
|
Lady Gaga To Release The Fame Monster USB Drive Edition
Summit Assures Fans Eclipse Reshoots Are Planned
Imam In New York Subway Bomb Plot Ordered To Leave U.S.
Sony Ericsson makes surprise 1st quarter profit
E.coli Infections Down To Lowest Levels Since 2004
Russia to put boy in U.S. adoption case in foster home
|
Napolitano Not Averse To Supreme Court Appointment, Wants America Safe
Court backs reduced fine for Holocaust-denying bishop
|
Harry Potter Star Daniel Radcliffe Making His Musical Debut
Special Report: U.S. shifts gears to tackle homespun terrorism
Sudan begins counting in polls marred by boycotts
|
5 Afghan UN workers missing in north
5 Ariz. shuttle services raided in smuggling bust
Soldiers, monks clear rubble in quake-hit China
Unhappy birthday for pope as Catholic crisis widens
|
Red Shirt leaders flee as Thai forces raid hotel
Pakistan to probe Bhutto killing after UN report
Pakistan probe of Bhutto death faces hurdles
Chronology of North Korean attacks on South Korea
Thai protest leader flees police out hotel window
Thai PM gives army extended powers
Pakistani rupee eases vs dollar; stocks edge lower
Pakistan July-March foreign investment falls 34.2 pct
Cellphone satnav use surging in Europe
|
Asia-Europe flights halted due to Iceland volcano
FACTBOX-South Korea IPOs due in 2010, past record offerings
China shares fall as stock exchange futures start
China Eastern to sign agreement to join SkyTeam
Tolkien says he's finally left grandfather's shadow
Taiwan to create 137,000 jobs this year
Rolling Stones issue unheard song for record stores
India Fails To Launch Satellite As Rocket Falls Into Sea
Third Grader Suspended After Giving Packets Of Possible Heroin To Classmates
Man Hit Over Head With Python After Argument
U.N. Reports Mobile Telephones More Common Than Toilets In India
Mixing Healthy Mitochondria, Parents DNAs Shows Promise In Preventing Genetic Disorder
Woman Injured From Wii Fit Fall Develops Sexual Arousal Syndrome
Michelle Obama Continues To Make Fashion Statements In Mexico
Pfizer Developing "Viagra for Women"
New Zealand Man Leaves Baby In Car To Go To Strip Club
Rolling Stones issue unheard song for record stores
|
Tolkien says he's finally left grandfather's shadow
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights