Summary

  • Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn go head-to-head in a live TV debate

  • One questioner referred to criticism of both men from former PMs Sir John Major and Tony Blair

  • Mr Corbyn said a Labour government would negotiate a Brexit deal within three months

  • Mr Johnson said there was "ample time" to build a free trade partnership with the EU after leaving

  • The NHS featured too, with Mr Corbyn describing it "at breaking point"

  • Mr Johnson said charges the NHS was to be part of a US trade deal was "Bermuda Triangle stuff"

  • In his closing statement, Mr Corbyn said he would be as ambitious as the Labour government who created the NHS

  • Mr Johnson's closing statement said his Tory government would "get Brexit done"

  • The UK goes to the polls next Thursday

  1. Saville-Roberts: 'A shoddy end of term pantomime'published at 21:55 Greenwich Mean Time 6 December 2019

    Reacting to the debate, Plaid Cyrmu's Liz Saville-Roberts tells the BBC News Channel: "It really felt like a shoddy end of term pantomime.

    "Here in Wales you get the feeling that Westminster-style politics is beginning to run out of road."

    There was a "sheer lack of honesty on both parts", she argues.

    And Boris Johnson "said his usual catch phrase 10 times or so".

    On the NHS, Ms Saville-Roberts says the audience has to remember that health is devolved.

    In Wales, Labour are in charge, she says, and they are facing long A&E waiting times and other issues.

  2. And, er, what about climate change?published at 21:51 Greenwich Mean Time 6 December 2019

    Amelia Womack

    More reaction from the spin room. This time it's Amelia Womack, deputy leader of the Green Party.

    She insists that climate change is a "priority for people across the country" despite the fact it wasn't talked about tonight.

    "I find it frustrating, as a younger woman, that we weren't discussing things that are relevant to my generation - whether that's house prices, rental prices, freedom of movement across Europe, or even zero-hour contracts," she adds.

  3. Still waiting for a jaw-dropper...published at 21:50 Greenwich Mean Time 6 December 2019

    Nick Eardley
    Political correspondent on BBC Radio 5 live

    You will not be surprised to hear that both sides are claiming victory, that always happens.

    The main thing I would take away from that debate tonight is in a campaign where both sides have basically hammered home key messages and talked about what they are comfortable talking about whenever they can, they have basically done the same once again.

    There were a few blows, don't get me wrong. There were punches landed by both men, but there was nothing critical.

    This campaign is still waiting for a political jaw-dropper. Something that makes you sit up and wonder 'oh wow, what happens now?'.

  4. Nation split on debate by eerily familiar ratiopublished at 21:47 Greenwich Mean Time 6 December 2019

    YouGov has carried out a snap poll of who voters think won tonight's debate.

    And the answer has a familiar ring, with Boris Johnson winning by 52% to 48%.

    It's the same margin as the 2016 referendum, and one that has kept cropping up in polls ever since. Cheekily, the Lib Dems are already demanding another vote...

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  5. A 'score draw' with no 'killer blow'published at 21:47 Greenwich Mean Time 6 December 2019

    ITV political correspondent tweets...

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  6. Calm off air, but rivals on itpublished at 21:46 Greenwich Mean Time 6 December 2019

    BBC online reporter

    Jennifer Scott
    BBC News

    Conservative Nicky Morgan and Labour's Shami Chakrabarti had a quiet and pleasant-seeming chat before they headed on camera.

    The harmony didn't last long though. The rivalry has now been unleashed in an on-air discussion on Brexit with the pair talking over each other... to accuse each other of talking over each other.

    Nicky Morgan and Shami Chakrabarti
  7. Raab and Gardiner pressed over 'lying politicians'published at 21:43 Greenwich Mean Time 6 December 2019

    In the spin room, the sparring politicians are asked the same question as the leaders were - what should happen to politicians who lie during a campaign.

    Dominic Raab says: "They get found out at the election, which is what will happen on 12 December."

    Mr Gardiner says Mr Raab gave the answer Jeremy Corbyn gave on stage.

    He says Mr Raab didn't give his own leader's answer because it was “stupid”.

    "It was typical of Boris Johnson" that he turned "everything into a laugh rather than telling the truth", Mr Gardiner adds.

  8. Have your say on BBC Radio 5 livepublished at 21:41 Greenwich Mean Time 6 December 2019

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    Stephen Nolan is taking your calls on tonight's debate on BBC Radio 5 live right now.

    Check out the details below for how to get in touch.

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  9. Row drawing a crowd...published at 21:40 Greenwich Mean Time 6 December 2019

    BBC online reporter watches the spat...

    The noise dominating the spin room right now is a blazing row between Labour's Barry Gardiner and Tory Dominic Raab.

    The crowds are gathering to watch the spectacle.

    Dominic Raab and Barry Gardiner
  10. Raab and Gardiner trade blows over Brexitpublished at 21:39 Greenwich Mean Time 6 December 2019

    Now over to the spin room for some reaction where Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and shadow trade secretary Barry Gardiner are trading blows over Brexit.

    Echoing Mr Johnson's line of attack in tonight's debate, Mr Raab says: "The basic issue in this election, will you back Jeremy Corbyn’s deal?"

    That deal, of course, would only be sought if Labour won the election.

    Shadow international trade secretary Barry Gardiner, who sounds decidedly angry, says: "You know what I’ll wait and see what it is."

    "You know, what another Labour MP dithering," Mr Raab replies.

    Mr Gardiner says Mr Raab wants a no-deal situation - and gets a bit personal by asking the Conservative front-bencher why he's sweating...

    You can find out more about Labour's Brexit policy here.

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  11. Watch: Johnson and Corbyn row over anti-Semitismpublished at 21:38 Greenwich Mean Time 6 December 2019

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post 2

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post 2
  12. The leaders traded claims on the NHSpublished at 21:37 Greenwich Mean Time 6 December 2019

    Reality Check

    Just picking over a few more of the leaders' claims now the debate itself is over.

    Asked about the state of the health service, Jeremy Corbyn said that there were 43,000 nurse vacancies. That's right - there are currently 43,500 nursing vacancies in the NHS in England, external.

    Boris Johnson went on to say that he planned to add 50,000 nurses to the NHS workforce. He clarified that this would not be 50,000 new nurses. The plan is that 19,000 would be newly trained recruits, 12,500 would come from overseas, and 18,500 would be nurses persuaded not to quit, or to come back.

    Mr Johnson also talked about a "cash boost" to the NHS of £34bn. He is using what's known as a cash terms figure. It's not helpful as it does not allow for inflation (rising prices). The government's own figures say the Conservatives will invest £20.5bn a year by 2023-24 - this allows for inflation.This will see annual budget increases of 3.4% a year. This would be much lower than the increases of 6% under the Blair and Brown Labour governments.

  13. 'Uninspiring men... unsuited to be PM' - Sturgeonpublished at 21:35 Greenwich Mean Time 6 December 2019

    The SNP leader tweets...

    A verdict in from another party leader - the SNP's Nicola Sturgeon.

    As you expect, she's not impressed...

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  14. Neither leader will be delighted - or distraughtpublished at 21:34 Greenwich Mean Time 6 December 2019

    Nick Eardley
    Political correspondent

    In an election which has seen both parties hammer their main messages at every opportunity, tonight followed the pattern.

    Neither man will be delighted - nor will they be distraught.

    Both landed a few blows and both took a few. But none of them were critical.

    Given the polls suggesting the Tories are ahead, that’s an outcome which may well suit Boris Johnson more.

  15. The debate ends with a handshake between leaders...published at 21:33 Greenwich Mean Time 6 December 2019

    The debate

  16. Johnson closing statement: Finishes with a Brexit jibepublished at 21:32 Greenwich Mean Time 6 December 2019

    The PM echoes his opening remarks, saying that the alternative to a Conservative win would be two "chaotic referendums" on EU membership and Scottish independence.

    He says a Conservative majority would mean improvements in healthcare and security.

    "We can Brexit done, get out of neutral and get a Parliament that works for you," he says.

    "Let's get it done, let's move on and vote Conservative on Thursday."

  17. Corbyn closing statement: 'We can chose hope'published at 21:30 Greenwich Mean Time 6 December 2019

    Mr Corbyn delivers his closing statement now, and attempts to finish on an upbeat note.

    "It was a radical Labour government that created the NHS," he says.

    "Today we must be ambitious on the same scale - the future really is ours to make together."

    He adds: "On Thursday we can chose hope and vote for real change."

  18. Leaders quizzed on liespublished at 21:29 Greenwich Mean Time 6 December 2019

    Katrina asks: “In the era of fake news, what punishment is appropriate for politicans who lie during political campaigns?"

    Mr Johnson says they "should be made to go on their knees" in the House of Commons and "scour" themselves with their documents.

    Mr Corbyn says: "If they don’t deliver then there is a democratic process to deal with that in the future - it is about holding people to account.

    "I want to see a stronger House of Commons in the future that holds our government to account."

  19. Watch: Johnson wants terrorists to serve 'full sentences'published at 21:28 Greenwich Mean Time 6 December 2019

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  20. Watch: Corbyn says 'we pay a price' for cutting policepublished at 21:28 Greenwich Mean Time 6 December 2019

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post