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Rishi Sunak & Keir Starmer will go head-to-head in first live TV debate – exact time & date announced
Find out which TV star will present the live debate
RISHI Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer will go head-to-head in a televised debate in their first live TV debate next week.
The hour-long debate between the PM and the Labour leader will air on ITV at 9pm next Tuesday, June 4.
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Veteran debate host Julie Etchingham will host moderate the live clash in front of a studio audience.
ITV current affairs boss Michael Jermey said: "Millions of viewers value the election debates.
"They provide a chance to see and hear the party leaders set out their pitch to the country.
"The leaders will debate directly with each other and take questions from voters.
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"ITV is pleased to be broadcasting the first debate in this year's election campaign."
The broadcaster also plans a series of interviews with other party leaders and a multi-party debate.
It comes after The Sun's exclusive polling revealed Labour is on course for a big win on July 4.
Savanta expert Chris Hopkins said: "The polls haven't moved in 18 months.
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"There's this assumption that they're now going to start moving as soon as the election campaign is called.
"But I think what we've seen so far in the race is that Rishi Sunak isn't a great campaigner, frankly.
"And I think that there's this there is still this assumption that if the polls move, they will move in one direction, i.e. they will narrow.
"I don't think that's a given at this point. I think that, as Ryan said, you know, Labour have to have an incredibly safe campaign.
"And I think it doesn't it doesn't benefit them to to go all guns blazing on policy."
Pollster Chris added: "I think, you know, 'safe' is kind of the the word of the day.
"Sure, the Conservative Party has to come out with something, but it does feel like a core vote strategy at the minute."
Labour's manifesto 'as light as a korma'
LABOUR’s manifesto will be as light as a korma, The Sun’s expert team have predicted – warning it’s “cynical” for the party not to commit to any policies.
Our Westminster team broke down the latest campaign news on a brand new election show hosted by political editor Harry Cole, that you can watch EVERY weekday at machibet.info or on our YouTube channel .
On yesterday's Never Mind the Ballots special, Harry said: "Starmer is going for the vibes feel. It's all about presentation.
"It's shirt sleeves rolled up, big change sign. But there's no policy - it's incredibly policy light."
Deputy Political Editor Ryan Sabey added: "The manifesto will be policy light - it will be very, very thin.
"They just don't need it. They're nearly there. They're nearly going to seize power.
"So all they need to do is actually get over the finishing line."
But Sun on Sunday Political Editor Kate Ferguson warned the "cynical" move could backfire.
She said: "I remember a frontbencher telling me a few months ago what they thought the Labour manifesto would be on a curry scale.
"They said it's going to be a korma, not a vindaloo."
Harry interjected: "Everyone knows a korma is not a curry!"
Kate said: "Exactly. You can really expect Labour to be light on detail - don't say anything, don't say anything. just give off good vibes.
"Is it the 90s again? But the danger is that it could backfire if the Tories start climbing in the polls.
"If the Tories don't, they'll feel very comfortable doing it."
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