Time for David Cameron to stop 'ducking and diving' and agree to TV election debates, says Ed Miliband

Three televised debates during the course of the campaign would exclude both Ukip and the SNP from participating

David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Gordon Brown during TV debates in 2010 (Getty Images)

David Cameron must stop “ducking and diving” and agree to take part in televised leaders’ debates in the run-up to the next general election, Ed Miliband said today.

Labour are increasingly concerned that the Conservatives are “looking for excuses” to pull the plug on the television debates that took place for the first time in 2010.

In an attempt to put pressure on Mr Cameron the Labour leader used a question and answer session at the party’s conference to say he wanted the debates to go ahead on the same terms.

This would involve three televised debates during the course of the campaign and would exclude both Ukip and the SNP from participating.

Citing his pledge on Tuesday to freeze fuel prices should Labour come to power Mr Miliband said: “We started a debate this week about Labour's price freeze until the start of 2017. We know where David Cameron and Nick Clegg stand. They just want to allow energy prices to keep on rising.

“We should have that debate over the coming months. We should also have that debate in the TV election debates.

“It's time for David Cameron to stop ducking and diving and agree to those TV debates just like at the last general election so the country can make its choice.”