Friday evening’s seven-way debate could be sparky and chaotic, not to mention eye-opening given the range of representatives on show – two leaders, one co-leader, a Westminster leader, two deputy leaders and one Commons leader. But what will each party hope to get from their 90 minutes on BBC One?
Conservatives
Represented by: Penny Mordaunt. Leader of the Commons and sword-holder extraordinaire, Mordaunt is an interesting choice. She was probably selected as she is a polished and, as needed, bullish debater but can also talk like a human being and show empathy. As a sideline, Mordaunt and her allies will see this as an informal audition for any post-election leadership challenge.
Her aim? Other than seeming, well, leader-like, Mordaunt’s task will be in part damage limitation after Rishi Sunak’s apology for leaving the D-day commemorations early, and also an effort to push anti-Labour notions, especially on tax.
And the key message? Labour’s supposed £2,000 per household tax rise. Despite this being largely fictitious and disowned by the civil service, the Conservatives believe this is a resonant message. Try to count how many times Mordaunt cites the figure.
Labour
Represented by: Angela Rayner, deputy leader, shadow levelling up secretary and folk hero to quite a few in the party. Rayner will be used to the cut and thrust, having regularly deputised for Keir Starmer at prime minister’s questions. She is quick-thinking and also very good at showing her human side.
Her aim? Other than batting away talk of a £2,000 tax bill more rapidly than Starmer did in Tuesday’s head-to-head debate with Sunak, a key part of Labour’s debate aims is simply to introduce its top team to voters. Expect some answers to be framed in the context of Rayner’s inspiring backstory.
And the key message? As with Starmer on Tuesday: you can trust us. We’re not frightening. Plus – do you really want five more years of this lot?
Liberal Democrats
Represented by: Daisy Cooper, the deputy leader, who is one of the party’s most senior MPs despite having won her St Albans seat only in 2019. Most voters will not have a clue who she is beforehand, but the Lib Dems will be confident – Cooper is fluent, articulate and, in something of a theme for this debate, able to speak like a normal member of the human race.
Her aim? In part – hello, look at us! Getting media bandwidth in an election can be difficult for smaller parties, and along with the leader Ed Davey’s schedule of camera-friendly election visits, this will be a chance for the Lib Dems to get through to a mass audience.
And the key message? The Lib Dems have a highly targeted campaign strategy and will want to let voters know they are the main challengers to the Tories in dozens of seats. Oh yes, and you can bet the mortgage on sewage getting a mention.
Scottish National party
Represented by: Stephen Flynn, the leader of the party’s Westminster group since late 2022, when Ian Blackford was ousted from the role. The Aberdeen South MP represents the party at PMQs, where he is known for speaking fluently and snappily, all without notes. He could do well in the debate.
His aim? To an extent, like Mordaunt, damage limitation for a long-term incumbent party facing a tricky election. Expect Labour-focused lines on the transition from North Sea energy, and social security.
And the key message? To simplify just slightly: Labour is going to win anyway – it does not need Scottish votes but Scotland needs SNP MPs to keep Labour honest.
Greens
Represented by: Carla Denyer, a co-leader of the party in England and Wales since 2021 as part of the good cop/good cop duo of her and Adrian Ramsay. A longtime councillor in Bristol, she has a decent chance of becoming the party’s second-ever MP after Caroline Lucas by unseating Labour’s Thangam Debbonaire in Bristol Central.
Her aim? At risk of being repetitive – hello, voters! Leading a smaller party in an election is difficult, and a debate like this can be very useful to raise awareness. Some voters may see the Greens as an environment-only enterprise and Denyer will want to tout policies on other areas such as tackling poverty.
And the key message? Much like for the SNP – voting for us is a free hit. Labour is set for a majority and a few Green MPs in seats Labour would otherwise win anyway will let us hold their feet to the fire.
Reform UK
Represented by: Nigel Farage. He’s back. After initially viewing the general election as slightly below his pay grade, Farage has appointed himself leader of the party he owns anyway, and is standing in Clacton. He can be a formidable political communicator and the other attenders will want to combat him and be slightly wary of doing so.
His aim? To not look like a politician. A bit like Boris Johnson, Farage has the ability to be the ultimate insider and yet look at voters with an implicit wink that says – who are all these weirdos? While Reform’s aim is to crush the Tories, he will happily hit out at anyone.
And the key message? The modern Farage is more openly hard right and populist than his Brexit incarnation. Expect broadbrush attacks on elites and vested interests, with some barely coded comments about Islam and immigration.
Plaid Cymru
Represented by: Rhun ap Iorwerth. The second newest leader in the debate, the former journalist and Welsh Senedd member took over a year ago after Adam Price’s departure following a report on a culture of sexual harassment, bullying and misogyny in the party.
His aim? To contrast the relative calm he has returned to his party with the turmoil in Welsh Labour, where the first minister, Vaughan Gething, lost a Plaid Cymru-backed vote of no confidence in the Senedd this week after a mere 12 weeks in the job.
And the key message? Yet again: Labour looks set for a sweeping win, so why not elect a few of our people as well, for a specifically Welsh-focused view on more devolution and a better environment?
