Blood, sweat and jeers as Britain holds first televised election debates

BRITAIN is holding its first US-style televised political debate tonight — and bookies are taking bets on who will sweat or stumble first.

The three showdowns begin at 8.30pm on ITV.

Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Conservative leader David Cameron and Nick Clegg of the Liberal Democrats will take audience questions on issues such as crime and healthcare. The following debates on April 22 and April 29 will focus on foreign policy and the economy.