PRIME Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Keir Starmer are set to be grilled by Sun readers in a Never Mind The Ballots election special.
One of the two candidates will be our next Prime Minister — here’s everything you need to know so you don’t miss the showdown.
The must-see event will be broadcast live across The Sun’s website, YouTube and social media channels
When is The Sun’s live showdown between Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer?
Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer are being interviewed consecutively by The Sun’s Political Editor Harry Cole at our London HQ.
Both interviews will be filmed LIVE in front of an audience of Sun readers.
The Never Mind The Ballots election showdown special will be livestreamed on Monday, June 24 at 5pm on thesun.co.uk and The Sun’s YouTube and social media channels.
What will happen during The Sun’s live head-to-head?
Hosted by Harry Cole, Sun readers will be able to put questions directly to the leaders of the two main parties as they decide how to cast their votes.
Mr Sunak will go first and the Labour chief will follow, as they both fight for the votes of hundreds of thousands of undecided Brits.
The running order was decided by a random draw on Never Mind The Ballots on the morning of Thursday, June 20.
Our special Sun tombola spinner was filled with five red balls and five blue balls — with a blue one picked out by chance.
The Sun’s Cabinet of real-life Brits will also offer their verdict on the two men battling for the keys to No10 in a special two-hour live show — coming just ten days before the nation goes to the polls.
Harry Cole said: “It’s time for the leaders to meet the readers — and I bet the readers won’t pull their punches.
“I’m delighted both sides have agreed to be put to the test in what is going to be a must-watch election moment.”
Sir Keir Starmer and the PM will be quizzed before a live audience of Sun readers
How can I watch The Sun’s live head-to-head?
The Never Mind The Ballots election showdown special is available on thesun.co.uk and The Sun’s YouTube and social media channels.
You can livestream the show at 5pm on Monday, June 24.
The broadcast is scheduled to finish at around 7pm, two hours after it begins.
It’s time for the leaders to meet the readers — and I bet the readers won’t pull their punches
Harry Cole
What is Never Mind The Ballots?
Never Mind The Ballots (MNTB) is The Sun’s politics show, which is fronted by Harry Cole.
The show initially aired weekly from March 21, 2024.
Since the announcement of the election, however, Never Mind The Ballots has been broadcast five mornings a week.
NMTB features the biggest political interviews, questions from Sun readers, and the opinions and insight of the Sun’s very own Cabinet — a panel made up of voters with real-life experience of working in law and order, defence, schools, the NHS and running a wide range of their own businesses, from a plumbing firm to driving a black cab.
The Sun’s readers’ Cabinet will give their verdicts on both leaders
The show looks at what readers are really looking for from the next Government — and who can win their vote.
Harry Cole said: “It is time for Britain to decide — and it is time for politics in plain English.
“There’s no topic off limits on Never Mind the Ballots and our readers will hold our leaders to account.
Watch our daily politics show
Watch The Sun’s DAILY Never Mind the Ballots Election Countdown show on our YouTube channel here.
Every weekday Sun Political Editor Harry Cole brings you the latest news and analysis from the election campaign trail.
“Don’t miss your weekly round up of what’s hot and what’s not in Westminster.”
The Sun’s Editor-in-Chief Victoria Newton said: “We will be putting the readers at the heart of our election coverage, in the newspaper, online and via this exciting new video show.
“If the politicians want the votes of our readers, they’re going to have to work hard to get them.”
When is the UK general election?
Following months of speculation, Rishi Sunak called a General Election for Thursday, July 4, 2024.
Speaking from Downing St, Mr Sunak said: “The last five years have been the most challenging times since the Second World War.
“Now is the moment to choose to decide whether we want to build on the progress we have made, or risk going back to square one with no plan and no certainty.”
To vote in the General Election you must:
be registered to vote
be 18 or over on the day of the election (“polling day”)
be a British, Irish or Commonwealth citizen
be resident at an address in the UK (or a British citizen living abroad who has been registered to vote in the UK in the last 15 years)
not be legally excluded from voting
The PM added: “I spoke with His Majesty the King to request the dissolution of Parliament.
“The King has granted this request, and we will have a general election on July 4.
“This election will take place at a time when the world is more dangerous than it has been since the end of the Cold War.”
The last election was won by the Conservatives with a 365-seat majority, which has dropped to 350 seats since by-election losses