Guide to General Election TV Debates: Viewing Options, Schedule, Networks, and Participants

Broadcasters have revealed their line-up of televised debates ahead of the general election on 4 July. The BBC confirmed it will host the final head-to-head debate between prime minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer on Wednesday 26 June. The first head-to-head between Mr Starmer and Mr Sunak was broadcast on ITV on Tuesday 4 June. But there are several more events between now and polling day – the full list of debates confirmed so far is below. A seven-leader election debate will be hosted by Mishal Husain on BBC One from 7.30pm to 9pm on Friday 7 June, between leading figures from the Conservative Party, Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, Scottish National Party (SNP), Plaid Cymru, Green Party and Reform UK. The Telegraph reported Mr Starmer will not be attending the seven-party debate, while Mr Sunak has not yet decided. Sky News will host a leaders’ debate on Wednesday 12 June. The participants and time have not yet been confirmed. ITV will host a multi-party debate featuring leaders or senior representatives from the Conservative Party, Labour, Liberal Democrats, SNP, Reform UK, Green Party and Plaid Cymru on Thursday 13 June from 8.30pm to 10pm. The two-hour Question Time special hosted by Fiona Bruce, featuring leaders from the four biggest parties – Conservatives, Labour, Lib Dems and SNP – will be broadcast from 8pm to 10pm on Thursday 20 June. Mr Sunak, Mr Starmer, Ed Davey and John Swinney will answer questions from the studio audience for 30 minutes each. BBC One Wales will host a debate between the party leaders in Wales on Friday 21 June from 7pm. The final head-to-head prime ministerial debate between Mr Sunak and Mr Starmer will be broadcast from 9pm to 10pm on Wednesday 26 June. The debate will be hosted by newsreader Sophie Raworth in Nottingham, airing on BBC One and BBC News. BBC One Northern Ireland will host a debate between all the party leaders there on Thursday 27 June. ITV will also broadcast a series of interview specials with party leaders, with all the major parties featuring over four shows. They will take place on 6, 12, 24 and 27 June. Nick Robinson has also invited the leaders of the seven biggest political parties in Britain to be interviewed for Panorama specials, airing over the next four weeks. No dates have yet been confirmed but the programmes are set to be broadcast on BBC One. Additional dedicated debates will also take place in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

General election TV debates: How to watch, dates, channels and who will take part

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Broadcasters have revealed their line-up of televised debates ahead of the general election on 4 July.

The BBC confirmed it will host the final head-to-head debate between prime minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer on Wednesday 26 June.

The first head-to-head between Mr Starmer and Mr Sunak was broadcast on ITV on Tuesday 4 June.

But there are several more events between now and polling day – the full list of debates confirmed so far is below.

The final head-to-head debate between Sunak and Starmer will take place on 26 June (PA Wire)

When are the debates taking place?

A seven-leader election debate will be hosted by Mishal Husain on BBC One from 7.30pm to 9pm on Friday 7 June, between leading figures from the Conservative Party, Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, Scottish National Party (SNP), Plaid Cymru, Green Party and Reform UK. The Telegraph reported Mr Starmer will not be attending the seven-party debate, while Mr Sunak has not yet decided.

BBC One Scotland will broadcast a debate between all the party leaders north of the border on Tuesday 11 June, from 8pm to 9pm.

Sky News will host a leaders’ debate on Wednesday 12 June. The participants and time have not yet been confirmed.

ITV will host a multi-party debate featuring leaders or senior representatives from the Conservative Party, Labour, Liberal Democrats, SNP, Reform UK, Green Party and Plaid Cymru on Thursday 13 June from 8.30pm to 10pm.

The two-hour Question Time special hosted by Fiona Bruce, featuring leaders from the four biggest parties – Conservatives, Labour, Lib Dems and SNP – will be broadcast from 8pm to 10pm on Thursday 20 June. Mr Sunak, Mr Starmer, Ed Davey and John Swinney will answer questions from the studio audience for 30 minutes each.

BBC One Wales will host a debate between the party leaders in Wales on Friday 21 June from 7pm.

The final head-to-head prime ministerial debate between Mr Sunak and Mr Starmer will be broadcast from 9pm to 10pm on Wednesday 26 June. The debate will be hosted by newsreader Sophie Raworth in Nottingham, airing on BBC One and BBC News.

BBC One Northern Ireland will host a debate between all the party leaders there on Thursday 27 June.

ITV will also broadcast a series of interview specials with party leaders, with all the major parties featuring over four shows. They will take place on 6, 12, 24 and 27 June.

Nick Robinson has also invited the leaders of the seven biggest political parties in Britain to be interviewed for Panorama specials, airing over the next four weeks. No dates have yet been confirmed but the programmes are set to be broadcast on BBC One.

Additional dedicated debates will also take place in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Read the full story on www.independent.co.uk
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/general-election-tv-debates-dates-channel-time-sunak-starmer-b2557200.html

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