this is bbc news, the headlines the leaders of the four biggest political parties in great britain will face questions from a live studio audience tonight, in a live special edition of bbc question time. the tories�* director of campaigning and his wife, a conservative candidate, are being looked into by the gambling commission over an alleged bet relating to the timing of

the general election. disappointment for england as denmark cancel out harry kane's opener with the two countries drawing 1—1 at the euros in frankfurt the actor donald sutherland — known for his roles in klute and ordinary people — has died aged 88 after a long illness. this is bbc news, hello, i'm russ adkins, welcome to the spin room at the university of york, under 30 minutes away from bbc question time leaders special, lots of people rather than in the spin room, some politicians, lots ofjournalists get into roach and respond to the two hours will hear from leaders under question time audience. let me redo some copy coming into the bbc news room that may be of interest. certainly if you're following the election campaign. so the former

conservative minister chris skidmore said he would vote labour and is accusing the prime minister rishi sunak of cider with climate deniers, he was on for various measures to tackle climate change. he's accusing the conservatives of extremist rhetoric that frames net zero policies as an imposition, and says it was both ignorant and deliberate misinformation. of course, when we get a conservative response to those allegations, we would of course bring them to you. in the meantime. let's speak tojon ashworth — labour parliamentary candidate for leicester south. thank you forjoining us. first of all, your reaction from chris skidmore. all, your reaction from chris skidmore-— all, your reaction from chris skidmore. chris, like tens of thousands — skidmore. chris, like tens of thousands of _ skidmore. chris, like tens of thousands of lifelong - skidmore. chris, like tens of - thousands of lifelong conservatives across the country, are looking at the labour party are fresh in this general election. many are switching to labour, and i think my message to the country would be, if you would agree it is time for change after 14

years of failure and declined, if you agree it is time to turn the page on the chaos we have seen then vote the labour party on the 4th of july and that is give this country and you start, a labour government that will start the work of rebuilding our nhs, cutting energy bills and delivering a better future for our children. do bills and delivering a better future for our children.— for our children. do you have concerns _ for our children. do you have concerns about _ for our children. do you have concerns about the _ for our children. do you have concerns about the cause - for our children. do you have concerns about the cause ofl for our children. do you have - concerns about the cause of meeting net zero targets, we have heard some folgers saying they are worried about the cost of the country pursuing those goals would be great? in leicester where being the candidate and leicester south, i've seen people struggle because the energy bills have gone through the roof, the heating they have gone up, we need a plan to bring energy buzz on. that is what labour is offering, i not only cutting energy bills for good reducing energy resources, but bring hundreds of thousands of good weather. jabs bring hundreds of thousands of good weather. , ., , , ., , ., �* weather. jobs as well. you're confident _ weather. jobs as well. you're confident that _ weather. jobs as well. you're confident that renewables -

weather. jobs as well. you're | confident that renewables can weather. jobs as well. you're - confident that renewables can take the place of gas and other sources we have relied on was to mark we need to transition quest to transition and remove from prosecutors, because it can bring energy costs down, when you have potentialjurors energy costs down, when you have potential jurors turning energy costs down, when you have potentialjurors turning to food banks and saying their heating tens of beings with tea lights because they cannot afford the gas bills associated with putting on the cooker, you can see we have a real problem. we cooker, you can see we have a real roblem. ~ ., , ., ., , problem. we need a plan to bring ener: problem. we need a plan to bring energy buzz _ problem. we need a plan to bring energy buzz on. _ problem. we need a plan to bring energy buzz on, that _ problem. we need a plan to bring energy buzz on, that is _ problem. we need a plan to bring energy buzz on, that is what - problem. we need a plan to bring l energy buzz on, that is what labour is offering. energy buzz on, that is what labour is offerina. ., energy buzz on, that is what labour is offerina. . , . ~ energy buzz on, that is what labour is offerin. . , ., ,, ., is offering. that 'ust talk about the event — is offering. that 'ust talk about the event, are — is offering. that just talk about the event, are you _ is offering. that just talk about the event, are you a _ is offering. that just talk about the event, are you a fan - is offering. that just talk about the event, are you a fan of - is offering. that just talk about l the event, are you a fan of these formats westmark it is great when politicians. it formats westmark it is great when voliticians. , ., politicians. it is great when positions — politicians. it is great when positions are _ politicians. it is great when positions are held - politicians. it is great when positions are held to - politicians. it is great when i positions are held to account, politicians. it is great when - positions are held to account, and i say this gently, to professional broadcasters, i think members of the public are better questions that are broadcasters. i see that ever so gently. i broadcasters. i see that ever so tentl . ., ., broadcasters. i see that ever so tentl. ., ., ,. broadcasters. i see that ever so tentl . ., ., ,. ., ~ ., gently. i want to screw that, i know is lookint gently. i want to screw that, i know is looking earlier _ gently. i want to screw that, i know is looking earlier and _ gently. i want to screw that, i know is looking earlier and where - gently. i want to screw that, i know is looking earlier and where the - is looking earlier and where the four leaders will stand right in front of the audience with funeral bruce but the host there as well,

but there's nowhere to hide, is there? �* , ., ., , ., there? there's nowhere to hide, you see the whites _ there? there's nowhere to hide, you see the whites of _ there? there's nowhere to hide, you see the whites of their _ there? there's nowhere to hide, you see the whites of their eyes, - there? there's nowhere to hide, you see the whites of their eyes, i - there? there's nowhere to hide, you see the whites of their eyes, i hope l see the whites of their eyes, i hope someone asked rishi sunak if he has been down that bookies recently, i might miss it being flippant there, but there is an issue that tories had inside knowledge and information and were putting on bets but that is and were putting on bets but that is a scandal and we need rishi sunak to come down on it. irate a scandal and we need rishi sunak to come down on it.— come down on it. we know the gambling commission - come down on it. we know the gambling commission is - come down on it. we know the. gambling commission is looking come down on it. we know the - gambling commission is looking into certain individuals and we will see what they do are doing fine, and in terms of where labour is item in the campaign, evidently some analysts are expecting labour to win, would that affect how you and others in the campaign are feeling? don’t the campaign are feeling? don't believe that _ the campaign are feeling? don't believe that open _ the campaign are feeling? don't believe that open and _ the campaign are feeling? don't believe that open and close, - the campaign are feeling? dr>ri�*it believe that open and close, lots the campaign are feeling? don�*t believe that open and close, lots of people to make of their minds and there are lots of areas that are in knife edge. if people want change after ia years of the tories, if they don't want to wake up with five more years of rishi sunak, they have to go out and vote for change and vote for labour onjuly four. to go out and vote for change and vote for labour on july four. two weeks or so to go, anything could

happen. don't doubt or ignore the opinion polls, the only one that matters is election day. there opinion polls, the only one that matters is election day. are you watchint matters is election day. are you watching it _ matters is election day. are you watching it in — matters is election day. are you watching it in here? _ matters is election day. are you watching it in here? i'm - matters is election day. are you watching it in here? i'm not - matters is election day. are you i watching it in here? i'm not sure, i'm watching it in here? i'm not sure, i'm watching _ watching it in here? i'm not sure, i'm watching it — watching it in here? i'm not sure, i'm watching it in _ watching it in here? i'm not sure, i'm watching it in their _ watching it in here? i'm not sure, i'm watching it in their room, - watching it in here? i'm not sure, i'm watching it in their room, i'm| i'm watching it in their room, i'm certainly would be here after, hopefully to catch up with you later. ., ~ hopefully to catch up with you later. . ,, , ., ., hopefully to catch up with you later. . ,, i. ., ., , later. thank you for “oining us. that is later. thank you for “oining us. that is john * later. thank you for “oining us. that is john at h later. thank you for “oining us. that is john at work _ later. thank you forjoining us. that is john at work -- - later. thank you forjoining us. that is john at work -- john i that isjohn at work —— john ashworth, the labour candidate for leicester south. you can find all the candidates running in leicster south on the bbc website — as well as a list of the candidates standing in all 650 seats in the general election. with more on what we can expect from the four party leader this evening — let'sjoin nick eardley and the bbc verify team. nick myi nick my i am imagining it would be a busy evening for you and your bbc verify colleagues.— busy evening for you and your bbc verify colleagues. absolutely, good evenin t verify colleagues. absolutely, good evenint to verify colleagues. absolutely, good

evening to you- _ verify colleagues. absolutely, good evening to you. we _ verify colleagues. absolutely, good evening to you. we have _ verify colleagues. absolutely, good evening to you. we have had - verify colleagues. absolutely, good evening to you. we have had a - verify colleagues. absolutely, good evening to you. we have had a few| verify colleagues. absolutely, good l evening to you. we have had a few of these nights so we have a rough idea of some of the claims that come up in these debates are questioning sessions. i suspect a few more of them will come up tonight. i thought would be useful, a few things to quickly run through. there might be a few things to bear in mind while you are listening to the leaders. firstly, these, misleading or potentially misleading claims that the labours and conservatives have been making about each other. here they are. the conservatives have claimed that labour would put techs up claimed that labour would put techs up by £2000 for every working family, labour have been claiming that mortgages will go up by nearly £5,000 under the conservatives. we have covered this quite is not at bbc verify in the past few weeks. there are politics involved, both parties trying to say the other cannot be trusted, but the thing you need to know is that both of these claims are potentially misleading. they contain a lot of questionable

assumptions, and if you hear them over the next two hours, you are entitled to be pretty cautious about whether you believe them or not. secondly, something is i notice coming up quite a lot in these events is the party leaders talking about economic growth. the rc it is part of their plan to find more money to spend on public services. the thing you need to know is that this is the picture since the pandemic, and as you can see, after 2021, growth is pretty flat. the 202i, growth is pretty flat. the forecast is that the economy will grow a bit more for next year, but if governments want more money to spend, pushing growth up is going to be absolute the crucial, and there is a question for all the party leaders about what they do if this happens again, if they do not get the economic growth that they want. would it make it harder to deliver public services or were they have to rethink some of their tanks and spend qualities —— policies? not

something they have been particularly talking about in detail so far, we see if that changes tonight. finally, another issue we have spoken about during the course of the campaign, is the state of the health service, and all the parties are debates in the best way to deal with this. huge backlogs. this is the picture in england, and as you can see, it has been going up over time, growing massively over the pandemic and since. you can see it comes on slightly recently, but that was from record highs, so there will be questions about the situation in england and whether the parties have proper plans to do with that. the smp leader, john swinney, it may be asked about this as well, the fact that they have been record high weeks this in scotland, where the smp run the health service. you can see the treatment weight of 18 weeks of more in scotland upon recently

but again from record highs, and the conservatives like to point out that wheels, with the labour administration in cardiff, which enlists our eight a record high as well, so a question for the parties how they would solve these which enlists, scotland and england, they are pledging more cash, but would it be enough? where should it be concentrated? so that on the hud service and that on growth, and before that we saw some potentially misleading claims, is all context for tonight, misleading claims, is all context fortonight, i misleading claims, is all context for tonight, i think for us, sick to sit there will be a lots of issues to go over and would have a team at bbc verify checking everything and a life page with lots of that updates and on what we think stacks up and what we think is a bit questionable, and lots more across the bbc over the course of the evening and into tomorrow. . ~ the course of the evening and into tomorrow. . ,, , ., ., tomorrow. nick, you mentioned the fact checking. _ tomorrow. nick, you mentioned the fact checking. i _ tomorrow. nick, you mentioned the fact checking, i am _ tomorrow. nick, you mentioned the fact checking, i am curious - tomorrow. nick, you mentioned the fact checking, i am curious to - tomorrow. nick, you mentioned the| fact checking, i am curious to know, why the programme is broadcasting, as the leaders are asking questions, how does the fact checking work?

estimation the first person up, sir ed davey says and you need to look at it, what is the process of here and sir ed davey say something and then getting it out onto the bbc digital services are the broadcast? that is a good question, we are few weeks into the company now, there is a practice of doing these things, and we know roughly the main arguments that the parties are making, which is why we can prep stuff like what they are going to see, potentially, about sex, potentially about mortgages, although keir starmer has been a bit more reluctant to say that in public that his colleagues, so the answer to that is bbc verify, lots of work goes into heir parent for these moments, looking at where the parties of said on social media and on broadcast, figuring out some of the arguments they're making and what figures they are based on, scrutinising those figures and asking the parties how they worked out some of their arguments, then going back to the sources that a

bunch of stupid and figuring out if it is an argument accepted by most of the experts. the simple answer to your question is a lots of prep goes into getting ready for these events, but it means that for the vast majority of things that the party leaders are saying, we have some work done already on whether it stacks up or not, and we can get that out pretty quickly on the life page here on the bbc news challenge —— china here and across the bbc over the next 2a hours or so. so over the next 24 hours or so. so interesting, nick, thank you indeed for explaining that. so nick is talking about the preparation that bbcjournalists talking about the preparation that bbc journalists are talking about the preparation that bbcjournalists are doing for this programme, and earlier on in our broadcast in the spin room, we heard about how advisers the politicians go through preparations to anticipate the subjects coming up, so journalists and politicians and advisers are all trying to anticipate what may or may not happen during these 30 minutes that

the respective political leaders and spendin the respective political leaders and spend in front of the question time audience. 0n the fact check that nick is talking about, you can find to the bbc news life page we will be running as this bbc question time special gets under way. looking at the perspective of bbc verify and the perspective of bbc verify and the politicians, and their advisers, let's look at the perspective of the posters now. joining me isjoe twyman co—founder and director of the polling company, deltapoll. get to speak to you. what are your plans for the two hours my how do you measure how audiences around the country are responding? there you measure how audiences around the country are responding?— country are responding? there are two was to — country are responding? there are two was to look _ country are responding? there are two was to look at _ country are responding? there are two was to look at it. _ country are responding? there are two was to look at it. look - country are responding? there are two was to look at it. look at - country are responding? there are two was to look at it. look at the i two was to look at it. look at the immediate impact that events like this have which can be measured in snap polls, but the more interesting thing particularly know it is is the media landscape particularly with social media has changed so much, it is more about what happens in the days that follow, the stories that generate cut through, picked up not just by the newspapers and

broadcasters but by social media as well. we saw after the first leaders debate of the question of £2000 tax increase for labour attracted a lot of attention among some of it good, he lots of it bad, and it could be that similar stories emerge from this. ultimately, we are looking to see if any of this would represent a turning point in the fortunes of any of the parties because through campaigns, we heavy lot of talking points but it is very rare there is a moment that brings about a lasting change in the overall numbers. fiend change in the overall numbers. and i'm interested _ change in the overall numbers. and i'm interested that you mentioned snap pulling because lots of attention on all the different type of porting that companies like yours conduct, particularly on these mr peoples, for people that i'm not looked at these, there were three out yesterday that got a lot of media coverage, do you think there is a wordy contribution to the different type of porting we are given access to? i

different type of porting we are given access to?— given access to? i think it is a tood given access to? i think it is a good way _ given access to? i think it is a good way of _ given access to? i think it is a good way of thinking - given access to? i think it is a good way of thinking of - given access to? i think it is a| good way of thinking of them, given access to? i think it is a i good way of thinking of them, as given access to? i think it is a - good way of thinking of them, as a contribution to the wider porting picture that we see, but what is his best to avoid is thinking of them as a magic bullet or so the children —— solution with oracle like powers. as we saw yesterday mrp polls, are simply another form of pole that involves a series of assumptions and decisions and does vary from poster to poster and sometimes from pole to pole, and those decisions might be the right one or the wrong one but it certainly counts to some degree why there's much variation, but even when you take those into account and the wider conventional porting, the overall picture is one of relative stability and a maintained strong need for labour and the question with two weeks ago is can anything happen tonight or in subsequent days to close that gap by any degree.

finally, joe, you would be aware there's been some interest in of the potential impact that polling has on this campaign is being framed, is that something you as a poster will be concerned about or do you think thatis be concerned about or do you think that is something for politicians and the media and those who may find pulling? and the media and those who may find ttullin ? ~ ., .. and the media and those who may find ttullin? . ., , pulling? what i would say, there is a reason that _ pulling? what i would say, there is a reason that polls _ pulling? what i would say, there is a reason that polls are _ pulling? what i would say, there is a reason that polls are receiving i a reason that polls are receiving so much attention in this campaign, which is the absence of anything else. it's not as if we can point to a particular event or speech that really resonated with the public on a daily basis. we do not have morning press conferences as we once did and instead we have closely controlled stage—managed events by all of the parties with each of the major parties really wish and to be very cautious with this approach and not wanting to say anything too

controversial, and so what comes out is, i have to see, relatively blind, so it doesn't surprise me that the media and more broadly the wider world are talking about more are the things, and polling is one of those things, and polling is one of those things given that we get the current rate, a number of polls each day, but i do think polls informs an important part of things because it informs the public of where politicians are and it provides that information so people can act on it if they so wish us upjoe, thank you, joe twyman. indie if they so wish us up joe, thank you. joe twyman-_ if they so wish us up joe, thank you, joe twyman. we are 11 or 12 minutes away — you, joe twyman. we are 11 or 12 minutes away from _ you, joe twyman. we are 11 or 12 minutes away from this - you, joe twyman. we are 11 or 12 minutes away from this bbc - you, joe twyman. we are 11 or 12 - minutes away from this bbc question time leader special at beginning, let's talk to someone at the spin room will stop. joining me now is professor peter bull from the university of york. he studies the "microanalysis" of interpersonal communication. thank you forjoining us. as someone who specialises in psychology, what

are you looking out for as the four leaders interact with the audience question mark we do a lot of work on what we called equally visual —— equivocation, the extent to which politicians reply or don't reply to questions. politicians reply or don't reply to tuestions. ~ �* ., ., ~' politicians reply or don't reply to tuestions. . �* ., ., ~ ., politicians reply or don't reply to questions-— politicians reply or don't reply to tuestions. . �* ., ., ~ ., , ., questions. we're looking to see what their re tl questions. we're looking to see what their reply rate _ questions. we're looking to see what their reply rate is. _ questions. we're looking to see what their reply rate is. you _ questions. we're looking to see what their reply rate is. you can _ questions. we're looking to see what their reply rate is. you can measure. their reply rate is. you can measure it? we have — their reply rate is. you can measure it? we have a _ their reply rate is. you can measure it? we have a detailed _ their reply rate is. you can measure it? we have a detailed court - it? we have a detailed court insistint it? we have a detailed court insisting for _ it? we have a detailed court insisting for measuring - it? we have a detailed court . insisting for measuring whether people answer questions are not and the data that we have, we find that they have across a whole lot of entities, get it's own a0% reply rate, more than people think, because they do answer questions sometimes. just because they do answer questions sometimes-— sometimes. just four out of ten of them? for— sometimes. just four out of ten of them? for as— sometimes. just four out of ten of them? for as of _ sometimes. just four out of ten of them? for as of ten, _ sometimes. just four out of ten of them? for as of ten, and - sometimes. just four out of ten of them? for as of ten, and is - sometimes. just four out of ten of them? for as of ten, and is it - them? for as of ten, and is it possible _ them? for as of ten, and is it possible to — them? for as of ten, and is it possible to say. _ them? for as of ten, and is it possible to say. is _ them? for as of ten, and is it possible to say. is it - them? for as of ten, and is it possible to say. is it possible | them? for as of ten, and is it i possible to say. is it possible to see some _ possible to say. is it possible to see some publishers _ possible to say. is it possible to see some publishers have - possible to say. is it possible to see some publishers have a - possible to say. is it possible to. see some publishers have a track record of answering questions as to others who skip them? thea;r record of answering questions as to others who skip them?— others who skip them? they differ, and they all — others who skip them? they differ, and they all have _ others who skip them? they differ, and they all have their— others who skip them? they differ,

and they all have their own quirks, | and they all have their own quirks, the have distinctive styles which is quite interesting. . i get that shirt was a bit unusual with her approach. john majorfor shirt was a bit unusual with her approach. john major for pleading ignorance, saying i don't know regarding the question. . ignorance, saying i don't know regarding the question.- regarding the question. . but there's not— regarding the question. . but there's not one _ regarding the question. . but there's not one way - regarding the question. . but there's not one way of - regarding the question. . but there's not one way of answering a question, and is it possible to define what a direct is to a question because of course politicians speaking lots of different ways, and that's human nature was to mark?— different ways, and that's human nature was to mark? when you look at our re-l nature was to mark? when you look at our reply rate. — nature was to mark? when you look at our reply rate. it's _ nature was to mark? when you look at our reply rate, it's explicit, _ nature was to mark? when you look at our reply rate, it's explicit, and - our reply rate, it's explicit, and one of the problems is people tend to think it's an either or situation, where as we sifted as continuing, and in one you have clear answers, and others a complete failure, but there's a lot of stuff in the middle, for example answers by implication, which are not implicit. i

by implication, which are not im-licit. ., , .. by implication, which are not im-licit. ., , ., ., , implicit. i wonder if you measure how audiences _ implicit. i wonder if you measure how audiences feel _ implicit. i wonder if you measure how audiences feel about - implicit. i wonder if you measure | how audiences feel about whether their questions are being answered, because they may feel it's has been, but when you go back and look at what was said perhaps it was not. you can tell by the intuitive response whether or not they believe their question is answered, because they will pursue it if they do not think they have an answer to it, so thatis think they have an answer to it, so that is one way you can look at it. so you're looking at in great detail, even those covering it in the news. it detail, even those covering it in the news. , detail, even those covering it in the news-— detail, even those covering it in the news. , ., the news. it is something we go after, the news. it is something we go after. you _ the news. it is something we go after. you need _ the news. it is something we go after, you need the _ the news. it is something we go after, you need the transcript i the news. it is something we go i after, you need the transcript and plenty of time to do that kind of analysis. plenty of time to do that kind of anal sis. ., , , plenty of time to do that kind of anal sis. . , , ., plenty of time to do that kind of anal sis. . ,, ., ., analysis. perhaps in a weeks or months times _ analysis. perhaps in a weeks or months times you _ analysis. perhaps in a weeks or months times you can - analysis. perhaps in a weeks or months times you can tell - analysis. perhaps in a weeks or months times you can tell us . analysis. perhaps in a weeks or. months times you can tell us how this leader special went in that much detail.— much detail. definitely a possibility- _ much detail. definitely a possibility. well, - much detail. definitely a possibility. well, we're i much detail. definitely a - possibility. well, we're getting close to the — possibility. well, we're getting close to the question - possibility. well, we're getting close to the question time - possibility. well, we're getting . close to the question time leaders debate, so let us have a look at where this is taking place. i visited the setjust a few minutes

ago. this is where the bbc�*s question time leader special is going to be taking place at the university of york. you can see where the audience is going to be sitting. over 160 people are going to be putting their questions to first, sir ed davey from the liberal democrats, thenjohn sweeney from the snp, then sir keir starmer thenjohn swinney from the snp, then sir keir starmer from the labour party, and then the prime minister, rishi sunak, on behalf of the conservatives. they are going to stand just here. the host of the question time leaders' special, fiona bruce, will be standing just here. now let's speak to the deputy ceo of bbc news, jonathan munro, who is integrally involved in organising all of this. hi, jonathan. thanks for speaking to us. well, i think the audience has got a number of questions about how this works. first of all, how do you settle on the fact that it's four leaders who are coming this evening? so, we have a pretty sophisticated way of looking at which party deserves more scrutiny and peak time than smaller parties. and in this election, because the polls have been moving a little bit, largely edging a little bit up on the reform front and down on the parties, we're having three of these programmes. so, this is the main one, the big

two—hour one with the four party leaders you've already named. and next friday, we'll have both the reform and the green party in a similarform at a different venue. we're down in the midlands for that one. and then viewers in wales will also be able to see a version with the plaid cymru leader, and that's running in wales on bbc1 channel, wales, but also on the bbc news channel across the uk. and if that's how you're organising, who's answering the questions? who's asking them? so, the audience here are the key to making question time work. people will be familiar with the regular format and the questions all come from the audience with some follow—up and some interrogation from fiona. but this is the format where the questioners themselves here at the university of york are able to get their teeth stuck into the issues they care about. so, we don't set them, i don't set them. the production team who are behind the scenes don't set them. these guys set them. but how do you make sure, first of all, the make—up of the audience is a fair representation of the country and then make sure the questions they ask are also a fair representation of the things people are most concerned about? well, on the audience,

what question time do every single week and this week is no different, is to come up with an audience which, broadly speaking, reflects the electoral map of great britain. so, people in the audience will be supporting each of these parties. every leader knows that somewhere in the audience there's some people who will support their policies, and a lot of people, of course, who won't. and that means in the case of this programme, we've brought some of the audience in from scotland because snp supporters obviously don't reside around york. so, that's the audience themselves. 0n the questions, they give us the questions in advance, they've emailed them in, they'll put them on postcards when they arrive in the building — we'll choose. and we'll choose the ones that resonate most with the big issues, but we'll also choose ones that are pertinent to the individual leader. this isn't a debate between people on the stage because they know what attack lines are going to be against each other. this is the question that goes to the heart of what they're like as a leader. well, you emphasise the fact they're not going to be on stage together. each is going to get half an hour. i'm curious about the choreography. will they be kind of waiting together in a room backstage or do they come in and leave quite separately? well, they make their own arrangements and they facilitate however they want to do it.

we've already had a few of them looking at the set today, just making themselves comfortable with the staging and the lighting and the sound systems, those sorts of things, because this is a really big moment, right? this is this format is the format where the magic money tree came on theresa may's. .. that was actually here. that was right here in the university of york. yeah. i was here for that arena. and that was a news—making event in that campaign in 2017. and the result of that election didn't go as theresa may wanted it. she lost her majority. it's also the format where tony blair was visibly shocked by the audience saying that get people couldn't get a doctor's appointment whenever they rang the surgery. and you might remember it's where ed miliband stumbled off the stage and that made news. so, there's a lot of nerves about this. so, they've come in, they've had a look, they've got themselves familiar with the environment, but it's much different when the buzz and the adrenaline of the audience are here. well, there are always two important venues we have these big tv moments during an electron campaign. the venue with the politicians are going

to speaking, this case to the questions i'm audience, and the spin room, wherejournalists questions i'm audience, and the spin room, where journalists and politicians gather to watch and respond to what does happen, so over here you can see other broadcasters as well as the bbc in their and other journalists as well as the bbc in their and otherjournalists pouring over their laptops and phones, and table after table ofjournalists which will fill up table ofjournalists which will fill up further as bbc question time gets under way. up further as bbc question time gets underway. let's up further as bbc question time gets under way. let's speak to a few people welcoming. with peter walker from the guardian, and not from the sun. for people who have not been in the spin room, it's a particular experience, isn't it westmark? it’s experience, isn't it westmark? it's a little fun. — experience, isn't it westmark? it�*s a little fun, we basically get front ventures from the respective teams, the top teams of the main contenders, come and it it's about swearing and spicy content about how bad their competitors are and how good their candidate is.— good their candidate is. they've decided how— good their candidate is. they've decided how they _ good their candidate is. they've decided how they assess - good their candidate is. they've decided how they assess it. - good their candidate is. they'vel decided how they assess it. they good their candidate is. they've - decided how they assess it. they can tell us now- —

decided how they assess it. they can tell us now. they _ decided how they assess it. they can tell us now. they already _ decided how they assess it. they can tell us now. they already know was i tell us now. they already know was when, tell us now. they already know was when. and — tell us now. they already know was when, and guess _ tell us now. they already know was when, and guess what, _ tell us now. they already know was when, and guess what, it's a - tell us now. they already know was when, and guess what, it's a party| when, and guess what, it's a party they belong to. has when, and guess what, it's a party they belong to-_ they belong to. as “ournalists how do ou sift they belong to. as journalists how do you sift through _ they belong to. as journalists how do you sift through that? - they belong to. as journalists how do you sift through that? it's - they belong to. as journalists how do you sift through that? it's up . they belong to. as journalists how| do you sift through that? it's up to the broadcasters, _ do you sift through that? it's up to the broadcasters, they _ do you sift through that? it's up to the broadcasters, they get - do you sift through that? it's up to the broadcasters, they get tv - do you sift through that? it's up to| the broadcasters, they get tv clips they can _ the broadcasters, they get tv clips they can pick up —— clip up, all the time_ they can pick up —— clip up, all the lime and— they can pick up —— clip up, all the lime and the— they can pick up —— clip up, all the time and the spin room, i've never change _ time and the spin room, i've never change my— time and the spin room, i've never change my copy after listening to the spin, — change my copy after listening to the spin, it's great fun and hell on earth, _ the spin, it's great fun and hell on earth, and — the spin, it's great fun and hell on earth, and you get people saying what _ earth, and you get people saying what you — earth, and you get people saying what you just spent the last 30 minutes— what you just spent the last 30 minutes listen to is all wrong. it's part of— minutes listen to is all wrong. it's part of the — minutes listen to is all wrong. it's part of the job and part of the fun and how— part of the job and part of the fun and how elections work, it's a bit weird _ and how elections work, it's a bit weird. �* , and how elections work, it's a bit weird. �* . . . . weird. it's weird anti-electric -- theatrical, _ weird. it's weird anti-electric -- theatrical. is — weird. it's weird anti-electric -- theatrical, is there _ weird. it's weird anti-electric -- theatrical, is there a _ weird. it's weird anti-electric -- theatrical, is there a benefit - weird. it's weird anti-electric -- theatrical, is there a benefit for| theatrical, is there a benefit for journalists?— theatrical, is there a benefit for journalists? there is, we have a thrase journalists? there is, we have a phrase in _ journalists? there is, we have a phrase in print— journalists? there is, we have a phrase in print journalism, - journalists? there is, we have a| phrase in print journalism, called phrase in printjournalism, called colour, and when you tell a story, you can get the facts and figures, but there are extra elements you can give and provide readers with a full competency of experience. the spin room gives us extra in a blitz that we can give to the readers so that

they get the full picture of what is going on in the political chaos and theatre. ., ., , theatre. you looking for news nimitz, not — theatre. you looking for news nimitz. not a _ theatre. you looking for news nimitz, not a phrase - theatre. you looking for news nimitz, not a phrase i've - theatre. you looking for news. nimitz, not a phrase i've heard before, we have two hours and four leaders to watch, are there president —— particular things you are looking for? president -- particular things you are looking for?— president -- particular things you are looking for? we're looking for unexpected _ are looking for? we're looking for unexpected stuff, _ are looking for? we're looking for unexpected stuff, because - are looking for? we're looking for unexpected stuff, because it - are looking for? we're looking for unexpected stuff, because it is i unexpected stuff, because it is dealing — unexpected stuff, because it is dealing with audience members which is difficult, _ dealing with audience members which is difficult, if a politician is dealing _ is difficult, if a politician is dealing with a journalists, they can say its— dealing with a journalists, they can say it's a _ dealing with a journalists, they can say it's a westminster thing, but this is— say it's a westminster thing, but this is voters, so they have to be undertones —— tolls, and you get these _ undertones —— tolls, and you get these weird _ undertones —— tolls, and you get these weird culture moments, so they will probably be be more nervous with the — will probably be be more nervous with the regular interview or has had to — with the regular interview or has had to. ., . , with the regular interview or has had to. ., , , ., had to. honestly, the main thing i will be looking _ had to. honestly, the main thing i will be looking for— had to. honestly, the main thing i will be looking for tonight - had to. honestly, the main thing i will be looking for tonight is - had to. honestly, the main thing i will be looking for tonight is rishi| will be looking for tonight is rishi sunak plus michael response to all these latest allegations are in gambling and conservative members placing bets on an early election. you think it will come up? i placing bets on an early election. you think it will come up?- you think it will come up? i hope he does, you think it will come up? i hope he does. because _ you think it will come up? i hope he does, because it _ you think it will come up? i hope he does, because it to _ you think it will come up? i hope he does, because it to the scandal - you think it will come up? i hope he does, because it to the scandal for i does, because it to the scandal for the day and the public we want to hear his response.—

the day and the public we want to hear his response. thank you, they are reported _ hear his response. thank you, they are reported for _ hear his response. thank you, they are reported for the _ hear his response. thank you, they are reported for the sun _ hear his response. thank you, they are reported for the sun and - hear his response. thank you, they are reported for the sun and the i are reported for the sun and the guardian respectively, a round of applause there, i think of that was my colleague. joining me is our political correspondent alex forsyth. 0ne minutes or so to go, i'm guessing — 0ne minutes or so to go, i'm guessing there nervous to go on. i'm assuming _ guessing there nervous to go on. i'm assuming you know politicians well from your— assuming you know politicians well from your time in westminster, presumably though their experience. a few_ presumably though their experience. a few of _ presumably though their experience. a few of these bigger moments. there will be _ a few of these bigger moments. there will be prepping and nervous, because — will be prepping and nervous, because the stakes are high, and the thin- because the stakes are high, and the thing about— because the stakes are high, and the thing about a former like this, you don't _ thing about a former like this, you don't know— thing about a former like this, you don't know what the audience will come _ don't know what the audience will come up — don't know what the audience will come up with, lots of unknowns and it can _ come up with, lots of unknowns and it can be _ come up with, lots of unknowns and it can be unexpected moments, and at this point— it can be unexpected moments, and at this point in— it can be unexpected moments, and at this point in the campaign, the last thing _ this point in the campaign, the last thing they— this point in the campaign, the last thing they want is an unexpected moment— thing they want is an unexpected moment to throw them off course. when _ moment to throw them off course. when they— moment to throw them off course. when they bump into each other or have anything to do with his rather? i suspect they will try to state close — i suspect they will try to state close to — i suspect they will try to state close to their tramlines while they -et close to their tramlines while they get their— close to their tramlines while they get their head in the game, but they don't _ get their head in the game, but they don't know— get their head in the game, but they don't know about the format of this debate _ don't know about the format of this debate it— don't know about the format of this debate if they go with each other,

so theory— debate if they go with each other, so theory the one who comes last could _ so theory the one who comes last could know— so theory the one who comes last could know what comes up. | so theory the one who comes last could know what comes up. i hope i remember — could know what comes up. i hope i remember this _ could know what comes up. i hope i remember this right, _ could know what comes up. i hope i remember this right, sir _ could know what comes up. i hope i remember this right, sir ed - remember this right, sir ed davey the lib dems, sirjohn swinney the smb, then care summer, and the premise there last. that smb, then care summer, and the premise there last.— premise there last. that is right, and all of them _ premise there last. that is right, and all of them in _ premise there last. that is right, and all of them in at _ premise there last. that is right, and all of them in at that - premise there last. that is right, | and all of them in at that steak at this stage — and all of them in at that steak at this stage in the campaign, but for keir starmer, if you look at the lead _ keir starmer, if you look at the lead -- — keir starmer, if you look at the lead —— polls, he would not want to jeopardise — lead —— polls, he would not want to jeopardise that, for rishi sunak, he would _ jeopardise that, for rishi sunak, he would try— jeopardise that, for rishi sunak, he would try to — jeopardise that, for rishi sunak, he would try to turn things around. thank— would try to turn things around. thank you. _ would try to turn things around. thank you, alex me, everyone here in the spin room will be watching closely. bear in mind as you watch this bbc question time leader special weather on bbc news or bbc one or bbc iplayer, also a life each on the bbc news website where you can see real—time reaction and fact checking as well, what with all of that said, here comes the question time leader special. campaign, the party leaders have faced plenty of questions from people like me. but this is question

time, and tonight, here in york, they will face questions from the audience, from voters. applause so, no desk for the usual panel tonight, just the four leaders of the main parties, one after another, who will stand here and answer questions from our audience, which as always, reflects the range of political sentiment across the whole country. each leader has the same amount of time, just under half an hour, to respond to whatever the people here want to ask them. first up people here want to ask them. first up is the liberal democrat leader sir ed davey, then the leader of the snp, john swinney, then labour�*s sir keir starmer, and then finally, the prime minister and conservative leader rishi sunak. you can get involved in the conversations at home on social media. shall we get going?

please put your hands together for our first guest, please put your hands together for ourfirst guest, sir ed davey.