Channel 4 to stage chancellors' debate
Updated on 17 March 2010
Channel 4 announces that the Chancellor, Alistair Darling, and his Conservative and Liberal shadows, George Osborne and Vince Cable, will hold a live debate on the economy the week after the budget.
The programme will be broadcast on Monday 29 March at 8pm in front of an invited audience of 200.
It is the first time the three men have come together for a live television discussion and precedes the three Leaders' Debates during the general election campaign. It will be presented by Krishnan Guru Murthy of Channel 4 News.
Channel 4's Head of News & Current Affairs, Dorothy Byrne, said: "With the economy being the key issue of the election, this debate – which will air just after the budget is announced - will provide an opportunity for the audience to question each of the prospective chancellors - holding them and their policies to account".
Recent polls of votes have shown that the economy is the most important issue for a majority of voters. Channel 4 viewers have an opportunity to send in their questions for the debate
The programme is a co-production between ITN, which makes Channel 4 News, and Mentorn, which produces the BBC's Question Time.
Send us your questions
The economy - it is THE central issue of this election. Never before have the stakes been so high: our jobs, our prosperity and pensions, even the world's confidence in our country, all of this depends on getting the best possible stewardship of the UK economy.
And then there is public spending: health, education, defence. All parties agree it needs to be cut dramatically, so what should be protected and what should be slashed? Should taxes go up – and if so, which ones?
The choices at this election could hardly be more profound. Every voter needs to decide which party they trust the most to guide Britain through such turbulent economic times.
If you could ask one question which would guide your choice over which party to trust most, what would that question be?
Let us know on chancellordebate@channel4.com
And if you'd like to be part of our studio audience, please include your contact number so we can call you back.
A panel will then decide which questions are put to the three politicians.
