Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

BBC election debate: Key facts as Johnson and Corbyn prepare for final live clash

PM and Labour leader to be grilled by Nick Robinson in Southampton

Joe Sommerlad
Thursday 05 December 2019 17:59 GMT
Comments
General Election 2019: Opinion polls over the last seven days

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Prime minister Boris Johnson will go head-to-head with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn on Friday night in the final televised debate of the general election campaign.

The pair last clashed at the ITV leaders’ debate on 19 November, picking over Brexit, the NHS and austerity in an occasionally heated contest.

Here is everything you need to know about the next instalment ahead of next Thursday’s vote.

What time is the debate and how can I watch it?

The hour-long showdown will be broadcast on BBC One from 8.30pm on Friday evening.

The discussion is being staged in Southampton and will be moderated by former BBC political editor and Today programme host Nick Robinson.

It will be followed by a BBC Question Time special for voters aged under 30 on Monday 9 December.

What happened in their last encounter?

Last time they were pitted against each other, Mr Johnson stressed with some confidence the UK wil definitely be leaving the EU on 31 January 2020, adding: “We have a deal ready to go.”

Mr Corbyn’s stance on leaving or remaining in Europe was put under the spotlight. He pledged a new public vote on the issue while remaining reluctant to be drawn on which side he would campaign for. “I want to bring people together so therefore there will be a referendum,” he said.

The Labour leader also expressed some doubt about the prime minister’s chances of actually realising his January deadline for the UK’s withdrawal from the European bloc.

Mr Johnson also unintentionally drew laughs from the studio audience when he claimed “truth matters”.

Why are the Liberal Democrats, Brexit Party, SNP and Greens not taking part?

Billed as a “Prime Ministerial debate”, this one will follow the format of the earlier ITV debate hosted by Julie Etchingham in the interests of parity.

The Lib Dems and SNP remain angry at the exclusion of Ms Swinson and Ms Sturgeon, two leading anti-Brexit campaigners, from the debate, just as Nigel Farage is annoyed to be shut out.

There will be no empty chairs or melting ice sculptures this time, as there was at Channel 4’s debate devoted to climate change.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in