Election 2019: BBC to air leaders’ debates including Boris Johnson v Jeremy Corbyn

The BBC today announced it’s to air two prime-time election debate programmes in the run up to the 2019 General Election on 12th December.

Today presenter and former BBC Political Editor Nick Robinson will host two debate programmes live on BBC One, one between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn and another featuring seven Great Britain party representatives.

The BBC Prime Ministerial Debate on Friday 6 December sees a head to head between Conservative Party leader, Boris Johnson and Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, live from Southampton.

On Friday 29 November, The BBC Election Debate will be broadcast live from Cardiff on BBC One.

It will feature a seven-way podium debate between leaders or senior figures from the seven major GB political parties.

The format will see each of the panellists make short opening statements; these will then be followed by questions and debate. At the end of the debate the representatives will be invited to make short closing statements.

“The BBC Prime Ministerial Debate and The BBC Election Debate will illuminate the choice we all face between competing parties, leaders, policies and visions for the country,” said Nick Robinson.

“They are just one of many ways the BBC aims to do that. I hope they’ll reach people who don’t normally switch on for politics on TV.

“I covered my first election in 1987 and it’s an absolute thrill to have played a part over the years as a researcher, producer, political editor and now as debate host.”

The BBC will also air a special leaders’ edition of Question Time and a debate programme aimed at younger audiences and first time voters. In addition there will be separate debates in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.