BBC election debate: Who is taking part and what to watch out for

Who all will participate?

Representing the Conservatives will be Penny Mordaunt, a cabinet minister and former leader of the House of Commons, known for her role during the Coronation as Lord President of the Council,  and her tenure as the first female defense secretary.

Angela Rayner, Labour Party’s deputy leader and shadow levelling up secretary, will speak on behalf of the party. Rayner, elected as an MP in 2015, is known for her straightforwardness and advocacy for workers’ rights.

Daisy Cooper, the Liberal Democrats’ deputy leader and health and social care spokesperson, will represent her party. Cooper, elected in 2019, has a background in Commonwealth affairs and press accountability.

Reform UK will be represented by Nigel Farage, who recently returned to frontline politics after a stint as a GB News presenter. Farage, a key figure in the Brexit referendum, leads Reform UK, formerly the Brexit Party.

Stephen Flynn, the Scottish National Party (SNP) Westminster leader, will represent the party. Flynn, who succeeded Ian Blackford in 2022, has a background in local government and was elected as an MP in 2019.

Carla Denyer, co-leader of the Green Party, will participate in the debate. An engineer by trade, Denyer wrote Europe’s first Climate Emergency declaration and has been an advocate for renewable energy, according to a BBC report

Rhun ap Iorwerth, leader of Plaid Cymru, will represent his party at the debate. A former BBC journalist, Iorwerth has held various shadow minister roles since being elected to the Welsh Parliament in 2013. He became leader of Plaid Cymru in 2023 and recently ended a cooperation agreement with Welsh Labour.

What will be discussed?

While the debate will see the parties explain where they stand on some matters of public interest, the election campaign is rife with contentious claims regarding tax policies, with Conservatives alleging Labour’s plan to raise taxes, and Labour countering with claims of Tory Party spending deficits. While concerns loom over potential public spending cuts, immigration policies and health and crime issues are also expected to prominently feature in the debate. As voters seek clarity on these critical topics, debates have intensified ahead of the election.

Amid pledges to reduce debt levels and maintain certain taxes, concerns arise about potential cuts in public spending, particularly in non-protected areas. Independent analyses suggest that departments could face budget reductions of up to 3.5 per cent, casting a shadow over the election campaign.

Immigration policies also feature prominently, with parties expressing diverse views on legal and illegal immigration. From advocating for caps on net migration to proposing incentives for British job seekers, parties present varying approaches to address immigration concerns.

As the election approaches, voters seek clarity on these critical issues to make informed decisions at the polls.

The debate promises to be a crucial event in the run-up to the July 4 election, where all 650 seats in the House of Commons are up for grabs.