David Farnor | On 22, Jan 2020

Channel 4 is to host the first live debate between the candidates vying to become the next Labour Party leader.

All five contenders have been confirmed to take part: Rebecca Long Bailey, Lisa Nandy, Jess Phillips, Sir Keir Starmer and Emily Thornberry.

The 60-minute debate will be hosted by Krishnan Guru-Murthy with a live audience asking questions of the people aiming to lead the opposition. It will take place on Monday 17th February at 8pm. The leadership contest will be decided by ballot. Voting begins just a few days after the debate, with the result announced in early April.

The programme was commissioned by Louisa Compton, Commissioning Editor News and Current Affairs.

Compton says: “This debate will put voters at the heart of the programme – the very people a future labour leader needs to win over in order to ever become Prime Minister. After 4 General Election losses in a row the leadership battle is seen by many as critical for the survival of the party.”

Director of TV Production at ITN Productions, Ian Rumsey, adds: “This is a vital moment for the Labour Party. We’re delighted that all five people who want the job of leading it have agreed to answer questions and put their case forward.”

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