A moment of danger - and a chance to pull backpublished at 19:53 26 June

19:53 26 June

Laura Kuenssberg
Presenting tonight's post-debate show on BBC One

As pundits and politicians gather here in Nottingham tonight, the temperature is almost at boiling point, as the city basks in what feels like a heatwave.

But the tension is rising in this election. There are only seven days to go.

As each 24 hours passes, Labour politicians start to contemplate power that the polls suggest is in their grasp.

And the Conservatives are all too aware that, as each hour goes back, their chance to claw back support gets smaller and smaller.

Tonight is one of Rishi Sunak’s last big chances to pull back. It’s one of Keir Starmer’s last moments of potential danger.

After tonight's debate, Clive Myrie and I will be joined by top politicians including Home Secretary James Cleverly, and Wes Streeting for Labour, who hopes to be health secretary next week.

But most importantly we’ll hear too from members of the audience who asked questions of the leaders vying to be prime minister.

Join Laura and Clive for After The Debate from 21:30 BST on BBC One and iPlayer.

"Is this just a big networking event?" asks my colleague who is making their first ever visit to a spin room.

I can see why she feels that way. There are lots of big names and lots of chat. Former Brexit Secretary David Davis is previewing the debate on the BBC News Channel. The home secretary’s bodyguards were guarding the loos.

Labour’s campaign co-ordinator Pat McFadden stops by our desks to give me some tips for covering the next election, while the shadow education secretary waits behind us to do a radio interview.

And then up pops the Lib Dem’s deputy leader Daisy Cooper. Her boss is not on stage tonight but she wants to make sure the media don't just make tonight a two-horse race.

We're recording our episode of Newscast after the debate with Chris Mason and Laura Kuenssberg – and it’ll be available to listen to on BBC Sounds.

Image source, PA Media

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has just arrived for the big event.

As we've told you, Labour leader Keir Starmer is already here - so we're all set for the evening.

Not long to go now before the pair go head-to-head, for the final time before the election.

Labour leader Keir Starmer has just pulled up at Nottingham Trent University for the debate.

He was greeted at the gates by BBC director general Tim Davie.

We're expecting Rishi Sunak to arrive soon, so stay tuned.

Image source, PA Media

The spin room here in Nottingham is heating up – both figuratively and literally.

Party representatives have begun prowling, coming over to have a chat in between their turns in front of microphones.

The packed tables of journalists are wolfing down quick dinners to power up.

There’s 45 minutes to go and both Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak will know the stakes are high – for many people, it could be their last proper look at them both before they vote.

The live audiences are chosen by the pollsters Savanta, not the BBC, and for this Prime Ministerial Debate they’ll include Conservative and Labour supporters as well as undecided voters.

We will say this at the beginning of the programme, for maximum transparency, and also explain why the two men - Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer - are standing where they are and the order in which they will deliver their closing thoughts. Spoiler - it’s a coin toss.

Image source, Jeff Overs/ BBC

With the two men vying to be the next prime minister due to arrive in Nottingham shortly, security here is tight.

I was hoping to get a sneak peek at the set for tonight’s debate, but no ball.

So, in true Blue Peter fashion, here's a photo my colleagues took a little earlier:

Image source, Jeff Overs/ BBC

Towering lighting rigs and flashy sets aside, tonight is about the audience here and you at home as we hurtle towards the final week of this election campaign.

We'll be right here throughout - it all kicks off at 20:15 BST.

When the last answer is given in tonight's head-to-head, the next phase of the battle begins.

Clive Myrie and I will be in what we call the ‘spin room’ - a phrase borrowed from across the Atlantic.

After the main men leave the stage, their spin doctors and supporters are eager to start spinning - jumping on radio and TV immediately to call their candidate the winner.

And they do the rounds of journalists, gathered to watch in the hope the headlines and stories about the debate that appear on your phone and in your paper are as favourable as they can get.

They’re also there to help smooth over any awkward moments, or cover up any bloopers.

Join Laura and Clive for After The Debate from 21:30 BST on BBC One and iPlayer.

Home Secretary James Cleverly has said "all campaigns are tough" when asked about how difficult this one has been for the Conservatives.

I just sat round the table with him for what’s known as a "press huddle" where reporters can ask questions on the record but without TV cameras.

From Rishi Sunak's D-Day blunder to the current saga over betting allegations, the Tory's election fight has been far from smooth sailing.

I asked the home secretary how this ranks in the campaigns he’s been a part of.

"Every election is different," insisted Cleverly as he compared it to being out on the doorstep in 1997, where Labour won a landslide.

"There was a real enthusiasm for Tony Blair, real enthusiasm for New Labour. In this election, I’m detecting none of that enthusiasm," he claimed.

It isn't long now until enthusiasm for all the parties – and the people behind them – will be truly tested as polling day draws ever closer.

Image source, PA Media

He may be the master of a photo opportunity but today even Ed Davey was upstaged.

As the Lib Dem leader paddled his board into the view of the waiting cameras it was his swim shorts - featuring screamingly garish florals - which drew double takes from the press.

"They weren’t my choice," he laughingly protested.

Davey was back on the water - this time for a spot of paddle board yoga - to highlight once again a central Lib Dem pledge to tackle sewage in British waterways.

To the disbelief of the press pack, he remained, albeit precariously, on board through a couple of downward facing dogs. Eventually though, seemingly unable to resist the urge, he invited the obliging local candidate to tip him into the river.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Labour has suspended a party member after being notified of their arrest in connection with the Westminster "honeytrap" scandal, the BBC understands.

Police arrested a man in his mid-20s on suspicion of harassment and offences under the Online Safety Act in London earlier today.

Multiple alleged victims were informed by the Metropolitan Police shortly afterwards.

Earlier this year a string of men, mostly working in politics, revealed that they had received unsolicited, flirtatious WhatsApp messages from people calling themselves "Charlie" or "Abi". In some cases explicit images were exchanged.

In April, William Wragg, then an MP, resigned the Conservative whip after saying that he gave the phone numbers of fellow MPs to a man he met on a dating app because he was "scared".

• You can read more about this story here

Hello again from the spin room, which has filled up significantly since my last update.

It’s still just journalists, producers and camera crews here but no politicians yet.

While I've got some time, here's a short guide to the key jargon for you to keep handy throughout the debate (and impress your friends with afterwards):

• First past the post: This is the election system used in the UK, in which the candidate with the most votes becomes the local MP. The party with the most MPs then forms a government
• Tactical voting: When someone votes to block a particular candidate from winning, instead of casting a vote based on support for a candidate
• Swing: The transfer of votes from one party to another. The actual transfer is complicated, so this is usually taken to mean between the top two parties in any seat or area
• Supermajority: A word the Conservative Party has been using to warn of a big Labour win. Although this term has a technical definition in some political systems, it doesn't in Westminster
• Manifesto: A list of a party's pledges, outlining what it'll do if it wins the election
• Fully costed: A phrase parties use to say they have spelled out how much these pledges might cost and how they will be paid for
• Spin: When politicians attempt to influence the perception of information - such as the outcome of the debate - in a way that shines their party in a positive light

Image source, Getty Images

Seb is one of many of you demanding a greater prominence for climate issues in the debates and election campaign.

"This issue transcends every area of life. If we don’t fix the climate, then the economy can’t run, food crops become less reliable, extreme weather and the damage that ensues is more common."

The cost of facing the situation now would be much lower than it would if politicians put the issue on the back burner, he argues.

"We are at the most precarious point we have ever been and it’s taken a back seat,” he says.

David, from Leicestershire, says: "I want you to get past the soundbite answers. If a promise is being made, I want the detail of what, when, how, and exactly where the money is coming from.

"The same applies to cutting costs to raise money, and what are the obstacles to achieving savings."

A reminder that our colleagues at BBC Verify will be analysing the leaders’ claims tonight, to provide factual details and context.

We're bringing you a flavour of the questions we've received from people through our Your Voice, Your Vote project.

Ilena, from Surrey, asks: "Why do the parties think it is all about reducing taxes?

"Quality of life is now about a sustainable environment, good health, security and peace in our homes, food for everyone, a decent job.

"I think higher taxes may be necessary to achieve this but we need a system that ensures tax dodgers are clamped down on."

Earlier this week, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), an independent think tank, accused the Conservatives and Labour of a “conspiracy of silence” over aspects of economic policy in their manifestos, although both party leaders hit back.

The IFS said it would be a considerable surprise if taxes were not increased over the next five years, owing to the amount of spending required on public services.

We're now just a few hours away from the BBC's Prime Ministerial Debate - between Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer.

That's coming up at 20:15 BST, and you can follow along with us here, on BBC One, and on the BBC News channel.

Stick with us here as we bring you the latest from the studio floor, and reaction from the spin room backstage.

Image source, EPA

Jason asks: "Why is it almost impossible to get NHS dental treatment in my hometown of Wrexham for me and my family? We have to travel all the way to Liverpool in order to get access to an NHS dentist."

This is one of the most common issues raised by you through Your Voice, Your Vote.

It’s not been ignored by the politicians, but you’ve called for clarity. People across the country have talked of the challenge of getting appointments with dentists, GPs, and specialists.

Sarah, from London, says there has been a lack of focus on how major issues affect younger voters.

“I often feel overlooked in policy-making despite being more likely to struggle, for example with the cost of living,” she says.

“I’d like to know how candidates plan to engage with young people (aged under 30) so that they are not longer excluded from political decision-making outside of education policy.”

She points to issues such as renting, NHS services - including mental health, and climate change which directly affect young people.

Through our Your Voice, Your Vote project, we’ve asked you to get in touch about the issues that matter to you.

You've replied in your thousands, and there have been plenty of questions you want the leaders to answer.

We're now going to bring you a flavour of them in the next few posts, ahead of tonight’s head-to-head BBC debate between Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer.

• You can read more about Your Voice, Your Vote and how to submit an idea we should be looking into here

Image source, PA Media

Reform UK’s chairman Richard Tice has made clear his support for the oil and gas industry.

At the Scottish launch of the party’s manifesto this afternoon, he says Scotland is the only nation with such energy “treasure” that thinks it's a good idea not to use it.

Tice says using renewable energy would make the country poorer and less energy secure.

He describes that as “negligence of the most extraordinary kind” and says the move to net zero is the “greatest act of financial negligence ever imposed on a nation by its leaders”.

As well as supporting oil and gas extraction, Reform will drop net-zero targets and scrap subsidies for renewables.

The party is also pledging to end all non-essential migration. Tice says his party will focus on growth.