The leaders of three main political parties in Britain began a historic TV debate on Thursday evening in Manchester in the run-up to the country's general election, to be held on May 6.

Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown (R), opposition Conservative Party leader David Cameron and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg (L) take part in the first of Britain's leadership election debates at ITV studios with television moderator Alastair Stewart (2nd R) in Manchester April 15, 2010. [Xinhua]

Prime Minister Gordon Brown, also the Labor party leader, opposition Conservative party leader David Cameron, and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg made a one-minute opening statements before debating eight questions chosen by viewers and a 200-strong audience over 90 minutes.

During the first ever TV debate in British political history, Brown warned against a double-dip recession and vowed to protect the National Health Service, police and schools from spending cuts, while Cameron promised to restore trust after the expenses scandal.

Clegg urged voters to "do something different this time" by supporting his party.

The first debate focusing on domestic affairs is being broadcast by ITV, and the host, Alistair Stewart, described it as "history in the making." The three leaders have so far covered the topics of immigration, law and order, parliamentary reforms as well as education.