Corbyn and May challenged to TV debate ahead of Witney by-election

Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn have been challenged to a televised debate by Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron.

The clash would take place in David Cameron’s old seat of Witney ahead of the by-election on Thursday, 20 October that was triggered by the former prime minister’s resignation as an MP.

Mr Farron said: “The Prime Minister became Conservative leader without facing a single TV debate and Jeremy Corbyn has called for a leaders’ debate.

“I’m challenging both of them to come to Witney and 0 Theresa May should face a debate, Tim Farron has said debate the by-election, Brexit, the economy, foreign affairs and what kind of society we want to build.

“Only the Liberal Democrats have a plan on Brexit, are talking about proper funding for the NHS and are working to deal with the housing crisis.”

The Lib Dems pointed to research by Leeds University which found the 2010 general election debates increased viewers’ interest in politics by 30 per cent.

Some 14 candidates are contesting the by-election, with the Tories represented by barrister Robert Courts, Labour by Duncan Enright, who lost to Mr Cameron in 2015 by more than 25,000 votes, and the Lib Dems by businesswoman Liz Leffman.

Also in the race for the Green Party is Larry Sanders, the brother of ex-us presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders.