ITV To Host First General Election Debate Between Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer

The ITV debate is one of only two that are currently arranged between Sunak and Starmer. The second debate will be hosted by BBC and is set to feature the leaders of seven parties. (Press Association via AP Images)

ITV will host the first head-to-head election debate between Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer.

The debate is scheduled to air on Tuesday at 9pm and will be moderated by ITV News journalist Julie Etchingham.

Ahead of the broadcast, ITV’s News and Current Affairs Director Michael Jermey 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.”

The debate is one of only two that are currently arranged between Sunak and Starmer. The second debate will be hosted by BBC and is set to feature the leaders of seven parties.

Sunak had pushed for more debates, but Starmer, whose Labour Party leads significantly in the polls, said he was more interested in meeting voters on the campaign trail.