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BBC election debate live: Ed Miliband to defend Labour's approach as opposition leaders go head to head without Cameron or Clegg

David Cameron and Nick Clegg have declined to take part in the set-piece

Jon Stone
Thursday 16 April 2015 23:38 BST
David Dimbleby on the set of the BBC Election Debate 2015
David Dimbleby on the set of the BBC Election Debate 2015 (BBC)

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Ed Miliband is facing a test tonight as he goes head-to-head in a television debate with the leaders of the UK’s other opposition parties.

Five of Westminster’s party leaders, from the SNP, Labour, Green Party, Plaid Cymru and Ukip, will go head-to-head on BBC One from 8pm.

The clash, being held in Westminster’s Methodist Central Hall, will not include David Cameron or Nick Clegg – who declined to take part.

In other news:

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Harriet Harman launches Labour 'women's manifesto'

Labour under fire for deficit as panel lets rip at previous government

Tory Lord Blencathra makes gaffe over foreign tax loopholes

Please allow a moment for the live blog to load

Tonight's debate will be broadcast on BBC One and will last an hour and a half, starting at 8pm.

Neither David Cameron nor Nick Clegg, as the Coalition's Deputy Prime Minister, will be taking part in what has been dubbed the "Challengers' Debate".

The leaders who are speaking will line up, from left to right on the podium, as Labour's Ed Miliband, Plaid Cymru's Leanne Wood, the Green Party's Natalie Bennett, the SNP's Nicola Sturgeon and Ukip's Nigel Farage, with David Dimbleby hosting.


The Independent has got together with May2015.com to produce a poll of polls that produces the most up-to-date data in as close to real time as is possible.

Click the buttons below to explore how the main parties' fortunes have changed:

All data, polls and graphics are courtesy of May2015.com. Click through for daily analysis, in-depth features and all the data you need. (All historical data used is provided by UK Polling Report)

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