Channel 4 to broadcast first live Conservative leadership debate

5 June 2019

Channel 4 is to host the first live leadership debate between the main candidates vying to become the United Kingdom’s next Prime Minister, it was announced today.

ITN Productions is making the special 90 minute programme, Live: Britain’s Next PM - The C4 Debate, which will take place on Sunday, June 16th at 6:30pm, after the first round of voting in the Conservative leadership contest.

The field of potential contenders is likely to be narrowed significantly after the first vote next Thursday, in which candidates must secure at least 16 votes to continue.

Commissioned by Louisa Compton, Commissioning Editor News and Current Affairs, the debate will be hosted by Channel 4 News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy in front of a live studio audience drawn from across the United Kingdom.

Ian Katz, Director of Programmes said: “The next British prime minister will be chosen by 330 MPs and 120,000 Tory party members - just 0.02% of the population - so it’s vital that they are properly tested before the wider electorate. There has been a dismaying trend in recent years towards major politicians avoiding taking part in televised debates but we’re hopeful that this will mark a return to healthy public scrutiny of candidates for our highest office.”

During the campaign, several candidates including Dominic Raab and Health Secretary Matt Hancock have stressed the importance of televised debates and public scrutiny in choosing the next Conservative leader and Prime Minister.

The live debate follows ITN Productions special for Channel 4, The Real Brexit Debate also chaired by Guru-Murthy in December last year. 

Director of TV Production at ITN Productions, Ian Rumsey, who is also Executive Producer, said: “This debate is a vital part of the process to decide our next Prime Minister and will be the first chance for the public to see the main candidates take each other on. We’re delighted to be making it for Channel 4.”

Editor of the programme is John McAndrew. It will be Directed by Richard Jack.

ENDS