Smaller parties may be squeezed out of UK election TV leadership debates

Lib Dems, Greens and SNP could lose out as broadcasters focus on head-to-heads between Sunak and Starmer

The Lib Dems, Greens and SNP face being cut out of televised leadership debates, as broadcasters plan to focus on two head-to-head contests between Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer.

ITV is working on a debate featuring only the leaders of the Labour and Conservative parties, according to sources at the broadcaster, in line with the format demanded by Labour.