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LONDON — Prime Minister Gordon Brown is weighing an invitation to debate with his two main rivals on live television — a first for Britain where leaders have resisted the sort of debates that can make or break election campaigns in countries like the U.S. and Australia.
Britain's Sky News channel — owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. — has asked Brown to take part in the debate, along with Conservative Party leader David Cameron and Liberal Democrat Nick Clegg.
From Margaret Thatcher to Tony Blair, and until now Brown, British leaders have dodged the cameras, usually claiming Britain's parliamentary system means national elections should focus on issues and lawmakers, not personalities.
Thatcher famously told Labour Party rival Neil Kinnock that "such a debate would generate more hot air than light" after he demanded a prime-time TV duel in 1987.
John Ryley, head of Sky News, said Wednesday he has written to Britain's three major parties offering to host a debate during the next election campaign, which must be held by June 2010.
Brown has yet to respond, but has previously argued that party chiefs tussle almost weekly in the House of Commons during the rowdy prime minister's questions session — and that further debates aren't necessary.
Next year's election will likely see Britain change its government for the first time since 1997. For more than 12 months, opinion polls have predicted Brown's governing Labour Party will lose to the opposition Conservatives.
Conservative leader Cameron has long called for televised debates, hoping his telegenic style will win over wavering voters and cement a win.
Both Cameron and Clegg — also an advocate for the debates — are thought likely to appear more at ease in a debate than the often pensive and long-winded Brown.
"I do think a prime ministerial debate would be very significant at the next election," said Ivor Gaber, a professor in political campaigning and reporting at London's City University.
"Given the sizable number of floating voters, people will probably say 'I'll wait for the debate' before deciding who to vote for."
He added that "unlike most political broadcasting, it would be guaranteed a big audience." Prime minister's questions — which takes place once a week at midday when Parliament is sitting — is rarely watched by large numbers of people.
The Times of London reported that veteran British broadcaster David Frost is likely to be approached to act as debate chairman.
A televised debate could also influence voter turnout at a time when many Britons have become disillusioned by mainstream politics. A scandal this year over lawmakers' lavish expense claims was blamed for the low turnout in local and European elections in June.
