STV to host 2026 Scottish election leaders debate

Party leaders vying to be Scotland’s next first minister will be grilled by each other during a special debate programme on STV.

The Scottish Conservatives, Scottish Greens, Scottish Labour, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Scottish National Party and Reform UK will face off just days before voters go to the polls.

The STV Leaders’ Debate will be broadcast live from Edinburgh’s Signet Library on Tuesday, April 28.

The debate will be moderated by STV’s political editor Colin Mackay, with Scotland Tonight’s Rona Dougall and Westminster correspondent Lucy Dunn in the spin room.

Kelly-Ann Woodland, Rona Dougall, Colin Mackay, Andrea Brymer. STV News

The party leaders are expected to field questions on the biggest issues dominating the 2026 Holyrood election.

The STV Leaders’ Debate will follow a series of one-to-one interviews aired throughout the election campaign.

Scotland Tonight’s Meet the Leaders series will see presenter Rona Dougall go face-to-face with the biggest names in Scottish politics on the issues that matter most to the public.

Reflecting the fact that votes in the May 7 election will be counted throughout the following day, rather than overnight, STV News will air a special live results programme on STV and STV Player from 5pm on Friday, May 8.

Hosted by Kelly-Ann Woodland in the Glasgow election studio and Andrea Brymer at Holyrood, alongside Colin Mackay, the programme will bring viewers all the biggest moments of the day and expert analysis.

Following the ITV Evening News at 7.30pm, Rona Dougall will be joined by some of Scotland’s foremost political commentators to assess what the results mean for the future of the country.

Up-to-the-minute coverage from reporters in key counts across Scotland will be available throughout the day on the STV News website and app, STV’s regular TV news bulletins, and on STV Radio, Scotland’s new national radio station.

Linda Grimes Douglas, head of news and current affairs at STV, said: “At times of national importance, when voters are asked to make major consequential decisions, a solid and reliable news source that cuts through the noise is crucial.

“Whichever way audiences get their news, STV’s multi-platform content offering will provide digestible reporting and clear analysis to help navigate the upcoming Scottish Parliament Election campaign.”

The STV Leaders’ Debate will air live on STV, STV Player and YouTube at 7pm on Tuesday, April 28.