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The Telegraph
The Telegraph
National
Amira Arasteh

When is the next Tory leadership TV debate and how to watch?

 Tory leadership tv debate process when how watch channel 4 itv sky news bbc one rishi sunak penny mordaunt liz truss british prime minister boris johnson conservatives
Tory leadership tv debate process when how watch channel 4 itv sky news bbc one rishi sunak penny mordaunt liz truss british prime minister boris johnson conservatives

The BBC will broadcast a live TV debate next week for the final two Tory leadership candidates.

The broadcaster confirmed that the remaining candidates in the race have agreed to take part in the debate if they make it to the final two.

The debate will take place in front of an audience of between 80 and 100 people and will be hosted in Stoke-on-Trent.

After Penny Mordaunt was knocked out of the running on Wednesday 20 July, only Rishi Sunak, and Liz Truss are left in the race to replace Boris Johnson as Prime Minister in September.

It has just been announced that the two finalists in the Tory leadership race will face each other head-to-head on Sky News, hosted by Kay Burley.

The Tory leadership contenders have already gone head-to-head in two leadership debates, but the third was cancelled on Monday morning after Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak pulled out.

The first debate was held last Friday on Channel 4, followed by a second on ITV on Sunday. The third debate - which was scheduled for Tuesday on Sky News - was cancelled after Ms Truss and Mr Sunak pulled out. 

When are the Tory leadership TV debates?

BBC One will air the final debate on Monday 25 July. Those at home can also tune into BBC Radio 5 Live, where the debate will be simulcast. Coverage will also continue after the debate.

Sky News has confirmed its event will take place in front of a live audience on Thursday 4 August. 

The first leadership debate was aired on Channel 4 on Friday night, hosted by Krishnan Guru-Murthy.

The second debate aired on Sunday 17 July, hosted by newscaster Julie Etchingham.

What time will the TV debates be shown?

The final debate will be shown at 9pm, with the Sky News head-to-head scheduled for 8pm the following week.

The debate on Sunday evening was broadcast at 7pm on ITV, and ran for around an hour. 

Although scheduled for Tuesday 19 July at 8pm, the third debate has now been cancelled. The news comes after Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss both pulled out of the event.

The one-hour live debate was set to be hosted by Kay Burley, with the participating candidates facing questions from a virtual studio audience.

What have the networks said about the debates?

John Ryley, head of Sky News, commented: "There has never been a more important time to reinvigorate the trust of voters in the office of the prime minister.

"This live TV debate on Sky News gives the final two candidates a chance to reconnect with millions by debating the major issues facing Britain."

Jonathan Munro, the interim director of BBC News and Current Affairs, said: "We're delighted to be offering BBC audiences the chance to be part of this pivotal moment in politics and hear, first hand, from the final two candidates as they compete to succeed Boris Johnson as prime minister."

Louisa Compton, Channel 4’s head of news and current affairs, said the network was "thrilled" the candidates had agreed to take part in Channel 4’s leadership debate and answer questions from voters around the UK.

"This debate will be essential viewing for those wanting to know more about our next prime minister and what she or he stand for."

Michael Jermey, ITV’s director of news and current affairs said: "Television debates at important elections help voters engage with politics.

"ITV has been the home of some of the biggest political debates over the past decade. Sunday’s debate will be an important event as the country’s next prime minister is chosen."

This article is kept updated with the latest information.

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