How to take part in the BBC Wales Election Debate

Wales will return 32 MPs to Westminster after the 4 July election

Voters in Wales are the number one priority for BBC Wales in this election.

Our job in the run-up to polling day is to ensure you have all the information you need to make your choice come 4 July.

In planning our coverage we take account of the key issues and questions, giving centre stage to the main topics and themes that voters tell us matter to them. Our teams are out and about across Wales reporting on the ground, getting to grips with local issues and how the parties are responding.

At the same time we are reflecting and scrutinising the broader picture in Wales and putting that in the wider context of the UK.

Reporting on a UK general election when we live in a devolved nation brings its own challenges. It is critical that we explain and give clarity on what is and is not devolved to avoid confusion.

Importantly, we want to give you, the voters, an opportunity to hold politicians to account and ask your questions of the representatives of the political parties during the campaign.

It is a vital part of our mission. Providing a platform for debate and discourse where everyone is treated fairly and with respect and where everyone’s views are heard is a vital part of the BBC’s duty as a public service broadcaster.

Want to take part? Why not join Bethan Rhys Roberts as she hosts the BBC Wales Election Debate live on Friday, 21 June at 19:00BST. If you’d like to request to be in the audience in Cardiff please apply online.

The parties have confirmed their representatives. They are: Welsh Labour – Vaughan Gething; Welsh Conservatives – David TC Davies; Plaid Cymru - Rhun ap Iorwerth; Welsh Liberal Democrats – Jane Dodds; Reform – Oliver Lewis.

"We want to give you, the voters, an opportunity to hold politicians to account," says Delyth Isaac, BBC Wales' head of news and current affairs

As always, we will ensure the audience reflects the broad electoral map of Wales, with questions representing the broad concerns of Welsh citizens, fair to all of the political representatives and are not too focused on a particular party or manifesto. The presenters are asked to ensure everyone gets a fair hearing while holding the politicians to account.

If you are watching from home, the debate is live on BBC One Wales, BBC iPlayer and BBC Radio Wales at 19:00BST, and look out for the additional coverage with a digital live page with all the analysis and reaction to the debate.

You may be wondering how we decide which parties are represented in debates. Parties have been invited to participate in the BBC Wales Election Debate in line with the BBC’s election guidance as well as Ofcom’s guidance. These guidelines are online.

Participation takes account of a number of considerations, including past electoral performance in equivalent elections over at least two electoral cycles, as well as giving due weight to robust patterns in relevant opinion polls. It also takes account of the number of constituencies in which each party is fielding candidates.

The debate is one of the ways in which we are covering the issues you are concerned about in Wales. You can also turn to in-depth interviews, analysis and expert opinion.

We know you can access your news in so many ways – and whether you prefer to follow every twist and turn of the election trail on television, radio or on our apps and digital services, you can depend on us to deliver trusted news, your way.

As a trusted news provider, BBC Wales is here to give you everything you need to make up your mind.

After all, it’s your vote.