Prospects for Britain’s first prime ministerial television debate have moved closer after a series of meetings involving the three main political parties this summer, with Sir David Frost emerging as a possible host.

Advisers to the three parties have touted Sir David, one of the best-known political broadcasters on both sides of the Atlantic, having interviewed Richard Nixon in 1977 over the Watergate scandal, because they believe that he would be an unbiased chairman.

It would be the first time that the leaders of the Labour Party, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats argued their policies together on live television before a general election.

While these debates are regular features of American and Australian elections, they have never happened in Britain because of squabbles over the choice of channel, disagreements on the identity of the host and a nervousness among leaders about the risks so close to a general election.

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It is understood that while Sir David, 70, has not pursued the role of chairman, he would accept if asked and that while Downing Street has not committed itself to a debate, Gordon Brown is considering the proposal seriously. The parties have yet to come to a formal agreement.

A number of meetings have been held in Westminster involving representatives of each of the parties, various channels and Sir David’s television producer. A number of other broadcasters have also approached the parties about a live debate.

The precise rules governing any debate have still to be agreed. One proposal is that it be split into three parts on different days, each lasting one hour. The first would allow the leaders to debate foreign affairs and defence, the second home affairs and the economy, and the third, in front of a studio audience, structured around questions from the audience in what is known as a “town hall format”.

Details, including whether the leaders are allowed to question each other, who would devise the questions, how long the answers would be, and whether the leaders would be allowed to use notes, are still to be agreed.

It is understood that Sir David’s producer has approached the Hansard Society, the independent political think-tank that hosted hustings this year for the Speakership of the House of Commons, to ratify the fairness of the rules of the debate.

While various channels are understood to be in talks with representatives of the parties, under one proposal, all channels, radio and internet sites would have access to a live feed.

In an article in The Times today, John Ryley, head of Sky News, writes: “Public confidence in politics is at the lowest ebb. Something must be done to help to restore faith in our political system. That is why, today, I have written to the leaders of the Conservative and Labour parties, and the Liberal Democrats, informing them that Sky will be hosting a live debate between them during the forthcoming election campaign.”

A Tory spokesman said: “David Cameron has always called for a television debate; he was the first to do so. He has asked for one at the dispatch box and also in a letter to Gordon Brown.”

A spokesman for the Liberal Democrat leader said: “Nick [Clegg] is very eager to take part in this type of debate. But it is all about whether Gordon Brown agrees to appear. We have attended meetings over the recess with broadcasters who are interested. We very much hope that this is something we can make happen.”

In 1997, plans to hold a similar debate between Sir John Major and Tony Blair were stymied over a row over who would host the programme.

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