Britain's Labour Prime Minster Tony Blair has promised to share a television stage with his general election rivals as part of the general campaign which in formally began today.
The leaders of the three main political parties have agreed to appear on a television programme together but the Liberal's Charles Kennedy; Tory, Michael Howard; and Mr Blair will not debate on the BBC Question Timeprogramme.
Mr Blair has exercised the traditional privilege of outgoing prime minister by declining a full debate meaning the three will answer the same questions consecutively.
The 90-minute broadcast will be aired on April 28 th. "They will be interviewed by David Dimbleby in front of the same invited audience, with the same host, and they will have roughly half an hour each, a spokesman for the production company Mentorn said.
"It is the first time it has happened, and it is a coup. They will be sharing the same stage and in front of the same audience and obviously in terms of an American-style debate, head-to-head, this is the closest we have been in this country to that," the spokesman added.
PA