Summary

  • Scotland's main party leaders take part in a live debate, hosted by the BBC's Sarah Smith.

  • Nicola Sturgeon (SNP); Kezia Dugdale (Labour); Ruth Davidson (Conservative) and Willie Rennie (Lib Dems) answered questions.

  • They were joined by Patrick Harvie of the Scottish Greens and David Coburn from UKIP.

  • The debate takes place ahead of the General Election on 8 June.

  • At the ballot box in 2015, the SNP won 56 Scottish seats with the Conservatives, Labour and the Lib Dems winning one each.

  1. 'Ruth Davidson does everything Theresa May tells her to'published at 19:48 British Summer Time 21 May 2017

    Ms Sturgeon says it seems like Ruth Davidson started out opposing Brexit, but in favour of staying in the single market, and now she is opposed to the single market.

    "Ruth Davidson does everything Theresa May tells her to," says the SNP leader.

  2. Davidson accuses Sturgeon of using Remain voters as proxy for independencepublished at 19:46 British Summer Time 21 May 2017

    Sarah Smith asks if Ruth Davidson has changed her mind about staying in the single market.

    Ms Davidson says she backs Theresa May's push for a free trade deal with the EU members.

    The Scottish Conservative leader insists Ms Sturgeon has ignored the votes of the Leavers and is using the Remain voters as a proxy for independence.

  3. Reality Check: What does 'hard Brexit' mean for UK?published at 19:45 British Summer Time 21 May 2017

    Man chipping off EU emblem on wallImage source, AFP/GETTY IMAGES
    Image caption,

    Theresa May's claim that "no deal is better than a bad deal" has raised concerns among UK companies

    When Theresa May formally signed a letter triggering the UK's departure from the EU, in March, the prime minister fired the starting gun on a two-year negotiation process that will have far-reaching implications for British businesses.

    Mrs May's claim that "no deal is better than a bad deal" has raised concerns among UK companies that a so-called "hard Brexit" could have a detrimental impact on jobs and investment in the country.

    So, what is a 'hard Brexit'? Click here to find out.

  4. SNP leader says staying in the single market is so important to Scotlandpublished at 19:45 British Summer Time 21 May 2017

    Nicola Sturgeon says people should vote for the SNP as the Tories are pursuing the most extreme form of Brexit.

    Ms Sturgeon says if you want to make sure Scotland's voice cannot be ignored then you must vote for her party.

    She says this election gives the opportunity to send a message saying Scotland will not be ignored.

    The SNP leader adds that staying in the single market is so important to Scotland.

  5. Tories 'hell-bent on a bonfire of regulation'published at 19:43 British Summer Time 21 May 2017

    Patrick Harvie

    Scottish Greens co-convener Patrick Harvie says Scotland needs a Green voice at Westminster and that the Tories are "hell-bent on a bonfire of regulation".

    Mr Harvie says we need to be investing in a sustainable economy to enable everyone to live in dignity and free of poverty.

  6. Only UKIP is trusted to get the UK out of the EU says Coburnpublished at 19:42 British Summer Time 21 May 2017

    David Coburn

    UKIP's David Coburn says his party is the party of Brexit and only his party is trusted to get the UK out of the EU.

    He says the other parties were all remainers.

  7. 'This is a chance to change the direction of the country'published at 19:41 British Summer Time 21 May 2017

    Willie Rennie

    Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie says "This is a chance to change the direction of the country" and to turn away from another independence referendum.

    Mr Rennie says, by putting a pennie on income tax, the direction of the country can be changed for a brighter future.

  8. Ruth Davidson: 'Fix our schools don't split up our country'published at 19:40 British Summer Time 21 May 2017

    Ruth Davidson

    Scottish Conservative Leader Ruth Davidson says this election is a massive opportunity for Scotland.

    Ms Davidson says the challenges can be met but "not if we are divided".

    She says: "Fix our schools don't split up our country."

  9. SNP are 'hell-bent' on independencepublished at 19:39 British Summer Time 21 May 2017

    Kezia Dugdale

    Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale says she voted to remain in the EU and against independence.

    Ms Dugdale says the SNP are "hell-bent" on independence.

    The Scottish Labour leader says "reject the Tories" and independence by voting for Labour.

  10. A vote for the SNP will strengthen Scotland's hand against an 'extreme Brexit'published at 19:37 British Summer Time 21 May 2017

    Nicola Sturgeon

    SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon says in the years ahead it will be vital to have strong voices for Scotland at Westminster.

    The first minister says a vote for the SNP can halt the cuts and austerity.

    She adds that a vote for the SNP will strengthen Scotland's hand against an "extreme Brexit".

  11. Attack and defencepublished at 19:35 British Summer Time 21 May 2017

    BBC Scotland political editor Brian Taylor says the politicians will have prepared both attack and defence.

    He says: "Hey its gladiatorial."

  12. The live TV debate programme beginspublished at 19:33 British Summer Time 21 May 2017

    BBC Scotland Editor Sarah Smith gets us under way by introducing the Scottish party leaders and Jackie Bird in the spin room.

  13. Follow the debate on social media....published at 19:28 British Summer Time 21 May 2017

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  14. The calm before the storm?published at 19:26 British Summer Time 21 May 2017

    The party leadersImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    The party leaders eagerly await the off.......

  15. General election 2017: Two million apply to register to votepublished at 19:24 British Summer Time 21 May 2017

    Media caption,

    General election 2017: How do I register to vote?

    More than two million people have applied to register to vote in the month since Theresa May announced plans for a snap general election on 8 June.

    The highest number of applications so far was on 18 April, the day the prime minister made her announcement, when just over 150,000 people applied.

    The number of young people registering is the highest of any age group.

    The deadline to register online through the official website, external is 23.59 BST on Monday 22 May.

  16. Debate bingo anyone?published at 19:19 British Summer Time 21 May 2017

  17. Election 2017 poll tracker: How the parties comparepublished at 19:17 British Summer Time 21 May 2017

    Who is calling the winner?

    Check what the latest opinion polls are saying and follow updates from the BBC's senior elections and political analyst Peter Barnes. The poll tracker will be updated as the campaign unfolds.

    Poll trackerImage source, bbc

    The trend lines are calculated as a rolling median of the seven latest polls. The median is the middle value of a set of numbers. When new polls are added, the median recalculates to take account of the latest 7 poll values.

    Read more here.

    Get all the General Election latest here.

  18. Getting ready for debate nightpublished at 19:09 British Summer Time 21 May 2017

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  19. What happened at the last general election?published at 19:07 British Summer Time 21 May 2017

    Two years ago, the Conservatives won a small majority at Westminster.

    • Conservatives - 331
    • Labour - 232
    • SNP - 56
    • Lib Dem - 8

    Have a look back at the full results.

    Voters go to the polls on Thursday, 8 June to elect their next MPs.

  20. The first Scottish Leaders' debatepublished at 16:08 British Summer Time 21 May 2017

    Taking part will be SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon; Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale; Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson and Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie

    Scottish Green Party co-convener Patrick Harvie and UKIP's David Coburn will also take part.

    Willie Rennie (Scottish Lib Dems); Patrick Harvie (Scottish Greens); Kezia Dugdale (Scottish Labour); Ruth Davidson (Scottish Tories); David Coburn (UKIP Scotland) and Nicola Sturgeon (SNP)
    Image caption,

    Willie Rennie (Scottish Lib Dems); Patrick Harvie (Scottish Greens); Kezia Dugdale (Scottish Labour); Ruth Davidson (Scottish Tories); David Coburn (UKIP Scotland) and Nicola Sturgeon (SNP)

    It is the first Scottish leaders' debate of the General Election campaign and will be presented by BBC Scotland Editor Sarah Smith. The BBC's Jackie Bird will bring media and political reaction from the spin room.

    The live BBC One Scotland broadcast is before an audience of voters and gets under way at 19:30.