<p><br /> With the first of the General Election debates starting on Thursday, David Cameron says he fears the public will be 'short changed'.<br /> </p><p><br /> His concern is that with only eight questions likely in 90 minutes, the format of the programme is in danger of being 'slow and sluggish'.<br /> </p><p><br /> The Conservative leader is drawing from his experience of Cameron Direct public meetings in which he answers 25 questions in an hour.<br /> </p><p><br /> The debates are taking place on three successive Thursday nights. Half of each debate will have a theme: domestic affairs, international matters, and the economy respectively. The second half of each session will be a âfree debate.â<br /> </p><p><br /> Speaking in Southwark, David Cameron said: "I hope the public won't feel short changed...I think we've got to make sure the public feel they're getting their questions answered."<br /> </p><p><br /> The first TV Election Debate will be presented by Alistair Stewart from 8.30pm to 10pm on ITV1.<br /> </p>
