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British political leaders grilled again by voters in live TV debate

Xinhua, May 1, 2015 Adjust font size:

Leaders of Britain's three mainstream political parties were once again grilled by tough questions from voters in a live TV debate on Thursday.

A special Question Time program, hosted by BBC One, saw British voters from a 150-member studio audience posing harsh questions to David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg, leaders of the Conservatives, the Labor Party and the Liberal Democrats respectively.

The three leaders appeared on the stage in turn, with each given half an hour to take questions from the studio audience.

With different agendas in mind, the three leaders clashed over a number of key issues in the election campaign, including Britain's future in the European Union (EU), immigration, economy, health care and the possible format of a future coalition government.

"There is seven days to go, and I am going to fight everything I've got to get an overall majority," Cameron said, refusing to name a specific partner in a predictable coalition or minority government.

Cameron has pledged to hold an "in or out" referendum on whether Britain should withdraw from the EU by 2017, if his Conservative Party wins the 2015 general election, which is to be held on May 7.

"I think the British people really do deserve a referendum on whether to stay in a reformed European Union, or leave. I think it is very clear that I will not lead a government that does not deliver that pledge," he elaborated.

Asked about Britain's relations with the EU, Labor Party leader Miliband said that an EU referendum was not a priority, worrying that the Conservative Party's referendum pledge could create two years of economic uncertainty.

Miliband also ruled out a post-election deal with the Scottish National Party (SNP).

"If the price of having a Labor government was a deal or a coalition with the Scottish National Party then it is not going to happen," he said.

He also rejected a "confidence and supply" arrangement with the SNP in a possible Labor-led government. Endit