Tory leadership hopefuls will go head-to-head at first live TV debate on Sunday
- The first debate for the Conservative leadership will air on ITV on Sunday July 17
- The second will be hosted by Kay Burley on Sky News on Monday July 18
- All 12 declared candidates have been invited to take part in the TV debates
The first live television debate of the Tory leadership race will take place on Sunday night on ITV.
All the candidates have been invited to take part in the show, to be followed by a second debate on Sky News on Monday.
In 2019, ITV’s Conservative leadership debate between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt was watched by 4.4million viewers.
Former Chancellor Rishi Sunak is considered a frontrunner and bookies’ favourite, with 38 Conservative MPs endorsing him – the most of any candidate so far
Michael Jermey, the broadcaster’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.’
The Sky News debate will be hosted by Kay Burley. John Ryley, the channel’s boss, said: ‘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 candidates a chance to reconnect with millions by debating the major issues facing Britain.’
He added that the show ‘presents a unique opportunity to re-engage a disillusioned electorate’.
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