Face the camera: The first TV debates in British political history

Leaders’ debate

Leaders’ debate

The first live TV leaders’ debates has taken place. What’s your verdict?

ITV held the first debate at 20:30 BST on Thursday 15th of March, on domestic affairs. It will be followed by a Sky debate a week later on foreign affairs and a final BBC debate a week after that on the economy.

The debates are unprecedented in British political history, although they are a well-established part of the electoral process in most other developed countries.

Most analysts believe Nick Clegg stands the most to gain from the debates, while David Cameron, the frontrunner, has the most to lose, but predictions are difficult because of the unprecedented nature of the events.