British PM urged to participate in pre-election TV debates

Leaders of Britain's major opposition parties on Wednesday pressed British Prime Minister David Cameron, leader of the Conservative Party, to take part in televised debates before the 2015 general elections.

Leaders of the Labor Party, the Liberal Democrats and the UK Independence Party (UKIP) joined hands in sending letters to Cameron, demanding the prime minister to participate in a series of televised pre-election debates.

British broadcasters have proposed to invite leaders of the Conservatives, the Labor Party, the Liberal Democrats and UKIP to join live TV debates.

Last week, Cameron threatened not to take part in the debates if Green Party is excluded, explaining that "you can't have some minor parties in and not other parties in."

In identical letters, his political opponents said: "It would be unacceptable if the political self-interest of one party leader were to deny the public the opportunity to see their leaders debate in public."

"I believe it would be a major setback to our democratic processes if these debates were not repeated in 2015 because of one politician's unwillingness to participate," they warned.

They suggested the broadcasters provide an "empty podium" for Cameron no matter whether he takes part or not.

The three party leaders "will ask the broadcasters to press ahead with the debates and provide an empty podium should you have a last minute change of heart," the letters said.

They also reminded the Conservative Party leader of the risks of blocking the debates.

"These debates are not the property of the politicians and I do not believe the public will accept lightly the prospect of any politician seeking to block them," they noted.

Britain is scheduled to hold its next general election in May, 2015. Endit