Channel 4 News to broadcast first live Conservative leadership debate

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

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 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.

“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,” said Ian Katz, Director of Channel 4 Programmes.

“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 BBC and Sky News have also announced leadership debate.