ITV to broadcast first head-to-head General Election debate between Sunak and Starmer

Submit your questions now ahead of the hour-long debate between Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer on June 4, moderated by ITV News presenter Julie Etchingham


ITV will broadcast the first head-to-head General Election debate between Rishi Sunak, leader of the Conservative Party, and Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer.

The debate will take place live in front of a studio audience and will be broadcast on ITV1, ITVX and STV and STV Player on Tuesday June 4 at 9pm.

ITV News presenter Julie Etchingham will moderate the hour-long debate. Julie has moderated General Election debates on ITV in 2015, 2017 and 2019.

Michael Jermey, ITV's Director of News and Current Affairs, said: "Millions of viewers value the election debates. They provide a chance to see and hear the party leaders set out their pitch to the country, debate directly with each other and take questions from voters.

"ITV is pleased to be broadcasting the first debate in this year's election campaign".

ITV plans to broadcast additional programming including an interview programme with other party leaders and a multi-party debate. Details on the further programmes will be announced in due course.

Reacting to the announcement, Rishi Sunak told ITV News he was looking forward to the debate.

"The choice at this election is increasingly clear," he said. "Bold action with a clear plan for a more secure future with the Conservatives or back to square one with no plan or no certainty with Labour."

Sir Keir also said that he was looking forward to the debate.

"I get the chance to talk directly to your viewers and to make our argument. To say to them the choice is really clear. You've had 14 years of chaos, division and failure - we can turn a page on that and usher in rebuilding with Labour."

The head-to-head debate will be followed at 10.10pm by The ITV Election Interviews presented by Anushka Asthana airing on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.

The leaders of the Liberal Democrats, the SNP, Reform UK and the Greens have been invited to take part in this live programme featuring extended interviews.

The ITV News presented by Tom Bradby will follow at 11.10pm that night with full coverage of the political events of the day.

The leader of Plaid Cymru has been invited to take part in an interview with ITV Cymru Wales which will be broadcast in Wales that evening.

ITV has further plans for a multi-party debate. Details will be announced in due course.

If you would like the opportunity to put a question directly to those taking part, please follow the link below to submit your question and provide some more information about yourself.

Ask your question here.


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