I have agreed to those proposals

Charles Kennedy

Conservative leader William Hague has already given his approval to the plan which could see the main political leaders sharing a TV platform for the first time in a British general election campaign.

The prime minister has remained quiet on the issue and earlier this week a Labour Party spokesman suggested there may be "practical problems" around the concept.

But speaking on Tuesday Mr Kennedy said he was willing to take part.

'Addition to democracy'

In a speech to the Westminster Forum, a politics-business liaison group, Mr Kennedy said: "One means of re-engaging people with their politicians would be through leaders' debates during the general election campaign.

Charles Kennedy has agreed to TV debates

"I have long felt that this would be a useful addition to the democratic process, allowing people to see the three main party leaders debating the issues, and defending their policies, outside of the juvenile forum of prime minister's questions.

"The BBC and ITV have now proposed a non-negotiable format for such debates to take place.

"I have agreed to those proposals. After weeks of dithering, it would appear that William Hague has now agreed to participate as well.

"It only remains for Tony Blair to agree also. I challenge him to do so."

Labour has said the debates proposal is still under consideration, although there are potential problems.

The party is concerned that any debate could get bogged down in legal challenges from smaller parties not invited to participate.

A US-style election debate would make television history in the UK.

The prime minister's official spokesman recently told journalists that he believed such a face-to-face confrontation was virtually inevitable.

Mr Blair does not have to call a general election until May 2002 but it is widely predicted that he will go to the polls in May this year.