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Opposition Leaders Debate - BBC1 - 8PM


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Five of Westminster's opposition party leaders are making final preparations for a live TV election debate.

Labour leader Ed Miliband, UKIP's Nigel Farage, SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, Leanne Wood of Plaid Cymru and the Greens' Natalie Bennett will take part.

 

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg complained the debate would be "lopsided" without either of the government parties.

The PM said it was part of a deal to "unblock the logjam" over debates but Labour accused him of "ducking" them.

The BBC contest, hosted by David Dimbleby from central London, begins at 20:00 BST.

 

The BBC debate, which follows the launch of the parties' election manifestos, is the latest in the schedule of election programmes agreed after months of wrangling between the parties and the broadcasters.

Prime Minister David Cameron and Lib Dem Deputy Prime Minister Mr Clegg will not be taking part.

Mr Clegg said: "I find it very odd that the debate tonight doesn't have anybody from one of the parties that have actually been trying to govern our country."

 

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He said he did not see why he had been "denied the opportunity" to speak because David Cameron had not wanted to and suggested there would be no-one to say "let's get real about some of the choices the country faces".

BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith said the stakes would be highest for Mr Miliband, who risks being "ganged up" on by the other leaders.

 

He predicted the dynamic between the Labour leader and Nicola Sturgeon will be the "most fascinating" element of the debate, given the "profound problem" Labour is facing in Scotland.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage said he would not be part of any "gang" at the debate as there was no political party he was further from than the Greens. He also said people had "underestimated" Mr Miliband.

He added: "What he has shown in this campaign is he is no fool and he is pretty tough, and if I am going to score points off him... I will have to be good to do it."

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Debate details

  • Mr Miliband will line up on the far left of the podium, with Mr Farage on the far right
  • Each of the leaders will be invited to make a short opening statement before five questions from the audience
  • They will be given a minute to answer before 10 minutes of free debate
  • At the end, each leader will deliver a short closing statement
 

 

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I reckon they will be all gunning for Nigel seeing as they have actually got a manifesto now.

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lol Is this a Left Wing audience or are people genuinely scared to tap their 2 hands together when Nigel says something positive. Guy talks about using Government properties being wasted and empty for housing and everyone sits their silent. Welsh woman dribbles and everyone claps.

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lol Is this a Left Wing audience or are people genuinely scared to tap their 2 hands together when Nigel says something positive. Guy talks about using Government properties being wasted and empty for housing and everyone sits their silent. Welsh woman dribbles and everyone claps.

 

Very dodgy

 

This is the BBC though so they probably selected the audience wisely to make sure the crowd do little or no clapping for Farage

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