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Wales Online
Wales Online
Politics
Ruth Mosalski

Conservative, Labour and Brexit Party leaders snub Cardiff BBC General Election debate

It's billed as a chance for you to get to decide who to vote for on December 12.

But neither Boris Johnson, Jeremy Corbyn or Nigel Farage will attend a pre-election debate tonight in Cardiff.

The BBC is hosting a 90-minute show from Cardiff Bay which is the first seven-way debate of the election.

Representatives from seven parties are attending; the Conservative Party, Labour Party, the Liberal Democrats, the SNP, the Brexit Party, Plaid Cymru and the Green Party.

But, according to host Nick Robinson, none of the leaders of the Conservatives, Labour, the Brexit Party or the Green Party will attend.

The Conservatives will be represented by Rishi Sunak MP, who was appointed Chief Secretary to the Treasury by Boris Johnson.

Labour are to be represented by Rebecca Long-Bailey, MP for Salford and Eccles who has been Labour's Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Richard Tice, a Brexit Party MEP and chairman of the party, will appear for the Brexit Party.

Caroline Lucas, the only Green Party MP in the last Parliament, will represent their party.

Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson is due to appear.

Adam Price, the leader of Plaid Cymru will appear, as will SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon.

The programme starts at 7pm and will be broadcast on BBC One and the BBC News Channel.

It will be presented by Nick Robinson.

On Thursday, Channel 4 replaced Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson with ice sculptures after they decided not to attend a special debate on climate change.

Other debates are scheduled, including another seven-way debate on ITV on SUnday night, which Julie Etchingham will host.

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