Scottish party leaders face off in STV Leaders' Debate 

STV political editor Colin Mackay is moderating TV debate featuring John Swinney, Douglas Ross, Anas Sarwar and Alex Cole-Hamilton.

UK General Election 2024: John Swinney, Anas Sarwar, Douglas Ross and Alex Cole-Hamilton face off in STV Leaders’ Debate Kirsty Anderson

STV hosts the first televised debate of this year’s UK General Election campaign on Monday evening.

SNP leader John Swinney, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross and Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton are taking part in the 90-minute debate, which airs from 9pm to 10.30pm.

Mackay will question each leader at STV’s Pacific Quay headquarters in Glasgow before they cross-examine each other.

Following the debate, Scotland Tonight presenter Rona Dougall will be joined by a panel of guests to provide instant reaction and analysis.

The STV Leaders’ Debate is the first of two televised debates airing on STV this week. A head-to-head between Rishi Sunak, leader of the Conservative Party, and Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, will follow at 9pm on Tuesday.

Linda Grimes Douglas, head of news and current affairs at STV, said: “Ahead of major votes like the forthcoming General Election, we know many viewers value having the opportunity to hear political leaders set out their plans for the country and debate the issues that matter most to the electorate.

“STV is pleased to be broadcasting the first leaders’ debate of the election campaign. An in-depth and robust head-to-head, it will likely set the agenda for the coming weeks in Scotland.”

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