The next UK Prime Minister debates to form BBC specials
BBC News has announced plans to cover the race to be the UK’s next Prime Minister with televised debates.
“The decision being made by Conservative Party members will profoundly affect us all, so it feels right that BBC audiences get a chance to see the candidates debate with each other, and that we scrutinise the various policy proposals they will be standing on.” – Fran Unsworth, Director BBC News and Current Affairs
BBC News will be hosting a series of special programming on BBC One about the Tory leadership contest.
At the heart of the schedule will be a debate moderated by Emily Maitlis. This will take place in mid June, and all of those whose hats remain in the ring will be invited to take part in the hustings event.
The final two candidates who remain after the voting by Conservative MPs will then be invited to put forth their case to an audience, in a single special edition of BBC One’s Question Time with Fiona Bruce.
The final two will also be invited to take part in one-on-one interviews with Andrew Neil in two stand-alone programmes within the voting period for Conservative Party members, who will decide the UK’s next Prime Minister.
“Our plans include bringing the final two candidates in front of the same Question Time audience on the same night to be quizzed by the public, as although the final say will fall to Conservative party members, it’s firmly in the public interest for audiences to question and hear from the next potential Prime Minister.” – Fran Unsworth, Director BBC News and Current Affairs
The BBC Tory Party specials are yet to be scheduled.
