Scottish leaders’ debate for STV

STV to air first Scottish leaders’ debate on Monday 3 June…

STV has announced that the first televised leaders’ debate of the 2024 General Election will air on STV and STV Player at 9pm on Monday 3 June.

Linda Grimes Douglas, Head of News & Current Affairs at STV:

“Ahead of major votes like the forthcoming General Election, we know many viewers value having the opportunity to hear political leaders set out their plans for the country and debate the issues that matter most to the electorate. STV is pleased to be broadcasting the first leaders’ debate of the election campaign. An in-depth and robust head-to-head, it will likely set the agenda for the coming weeks in Scotland.”

The leaders of the four Scottish parties with the most MPs at Westminster – John Swinney (leader of the Scottish National Party), Douglas Ross (leader of the Scottish Conservatives), Anas Sarwar (leader of Scottish Labour) and Alex Cole-Hamilton (leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats) – will debate the key issues facing the country ahead of the General Election on 4 July.

The 90-minute programme will be hosted by STV’s Political Editor, Colin Mackay, from the broadcaster’s Pacific Quay headquarters in Glasgow. Mackay will first question the leaders before they cross-examine each other.

Following the debate, Scotland Tonight presenter Rona Dougall will be joined by a panel of guests to provide instant reaction and analysis.

The STV Leaders’ Debate is the first of two televised debates airing on STV next week. A head-to-head between Rishi Sunak, leader of the Conservative Party, and Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, will follow at 9pm on Tuesday 4 June.

The STV Leaders’ Debate airs on Monday 3 June at 9pm on STV and STV Player.