Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer will go head-to-head tonight in the first televised leaders debate of the 2024 general election campaign.
ITV presenter Julie Etchingham is moderating the hour-long showdown between the men vying to be the Prime Minister in front of a live studio audience in Salford, Greater Manchester at 9pm.
The debate is the first in a series taking place on ITV and the BBC in the coming weeks before the country goes to the polls on July 4.
Follow MailOnline's live coverage below and join in the conversation in our comments section
New poll shows Tory wipeout on the cards...
I may have spoken too soon...Survation has released its first MRP poll (Multi-level Regression and Poststratification in case you didn't know) and it is horrific news for Rishi Sunak.
New polls will spring up throughout the campaign but it's forecast like these that are likely to keep Conservatives awake at night.
Poll shows Labour lead down to 14 points
Despite 30 days to go until the general election, Rishi Sunak must be sick at the sight of the polls.
From forecasts of electoral oblivion and huge Labour landslides, the Prime Minister has had little to no joy from public opinion so far but the latest survey could give him cause for optimism.
A Savanta poll for The Telegraph shows Labour's has decreased by three points to give them a lead of 14 - the party's lowest lead since February.
The survey, which was conducted over the weekend, puts Labour on 42% of the vote share, with the Conservatives on 28%.
Chris Hopkins, Political Research Director at Savanta said:
Who will be celebrating on the famous Corrie cobbles?
MailOnline's deputy political editor David Wilcock is reporting from Salford where Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer will face off in the ITV televised debate
Here's his first impressions from tonight's 'spin room':
Ex-spin doctor - 'Train hard, fight easy' - how to come out on top in a TV debate
Lee Cain, the former Downing Street director of communications under Boris Johnson, has given some insight ahead of tonight's TV debate telling his social media followers the most important thing is to remember it's not actually a debate.
Mr Cain (pictured) posted a lengthy thread on X earlier in which he told how Mr Johnson was prepared ahead of his leaders debate with then Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in 2019.
He tweeted:
John Swinney - I should be there
Scotland's First Minister John Swinney has today reiterated he should be joining Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer in the ITV debate tonight.
The SNP leader told Sky News that as leader of the 'third largest party in the United Kingdom' he should be entitled to take part in the programme.
He said viewers needed more voices as the Labour and the Conservatives 'agree on an awful lot of things' including migration and fiscal restraint.
Mr Swinney added there needed to be a different voice against austerity.
Sir Ed Davey - People will switch off their TVs during debate
The Lib Dem leader has predicted tonight's debate will be a snoozefest with viewers 'switching off' their TVs if they tune in to Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer.
Speaking to the BBC, Sir Ed Davey said he has a feeling 'people are fed up of hearing from the Conservatives'.
He said:
Davey will be interviewed by ITV in a separate programme after the debate finishes.
Watch: Sunak leaves ITV studio after 'scoping out' set
This is the moment Rishi Sunak left the ITV studio earlier today after visiting the set ahead of tonight's election debate.
The Prime Minister has been busily campaigning across the country since he called the snap election but has kept a low profile ahead of his clash with Keir Starmer.
Watch the video below:
Keir Starmer - I'm looking forward to debate
Sir Keir Starmer has said he is 'looking forward' to Tuesday night’s TV debate.
The Labour leader spent the morning campaigning in the north west before preparing for the debate in the afternoon.
Asked how was feeling ahead of the head-to-head with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the Labour leader said:
Asked if he had been preparing for the debate, Sir Keir added:
TV debates in the general election campaign - when are they taking place?
Tonight's debate is the first of the general election campaign with plenty more to follow before the country votes on July 4.
Here is your guide to what's coming up:
- ITV leaders debate - 9pm tonight
- Friday, June 7 - Mishal Husain will host a debate between leading figures from the seven biggest political parties in Great Britain. This will be broadcast from 7.30pm-9pm
- Tuesday, June 11- Stephen Jardine will chair Scotland Election 2024 Leaders' Special featuring the leaders of the five Scottish parties. They will appear in front of a live audience on BBC One Scotland from 8pm to 9pm
- Thursday, June 13 - Julie Etchingham will host a debate featuring leaders or representatives from seven political parties. 8.30pm to 10pm
- Thursday, June 20 – Fiona Bruce will host a Question Time Leaders’ Special with the leaders of the four biggest political parties in Great Britain, broadcast from 8pm-10pm
- Friday, June 21 - Bethan Rhys Roberts hosts Wales Leaders' Debate live with the main parties in Wales from 7pm
- Wednesday, June 26, – Sophie Raworth will host a head-to-head debate between Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer. It will be broadcast from 9pm-10pm
- Thursday, June 27 - Tara Mills will preside over the Northern Ireland Leaders' Debate featuring the main party leaders
Tonight's ITV debate - who will stand between Sunak and Starmer?
Julie Etchingham will moderate the first televised head-to-head debate between the leaders of Conservative and Labour.
The 54-year-old newsreader joined ITV in 2008 after previously working at the BBC and Sky News.
She brings plenty of experience to the format having chaired debates between David Cameron and Nigel Farage in 2016, and ITV debates in the 2017 and 2019 general elections.
Away from politics, Etchingham has also co-presented ITV's coverage of major royal events such as Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle and the funeral of Prince Philip in 2021.
What has happened today on the campaign trail?
Before we turn our attention to tonight's debate, let's just recap on the biggest stories of the day as Nigel Farage endured a (milk) shaky start in his run to the be the next MP for Clacton.
Here are some of the biggest stories of the day:
For all the latest news on the campaign trail visit MailOnline's website
Good evening
Hello and welcome to MailOnline's live coverage of the TV leaders debate as Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer go head-to-head on ITV.
The stakes are high for both men wanting to become the Prime Minister next month.
Mr Sunak will be hoping a strong performance can help turn the tide in his favour following some concerning polls, while Keir Starmer will look to cement his position as the change candidate.
We will be providing live updates from the debate as well as analysis and reaction.
Sunak v Starmer: The ITV Debate will take place live in front of a studio audience and will be broadcast on ITV1, ITVX and STV and STV Player at 9pm.
Key Updates
New poll shows Tory wipeout on the cards...
Ex-spin doctor - 'Train hard, fight easy' - how to come out on top in a TV debate
Tonight's ITV debate - who will stand between Sunak and Starmer?
What has happened today on the campaign trail?