Vaughan Gething is facing the Covid Inquiry when it comes to Wales in the coming weeks.

Asked if he got the pandemic right when he was health minister, Mr Gething said: “There was a number of things that you could do differently, but much of that is about hindsight.”

He said if "we had our time again" Wales would have gone into lockdown sooner.

Mr Gething had admitted in an inquiry hearing last year that he hadn't read a key document about preparing for a pandemic. He said he had never “ignored a briefing on potential pandemics”.

Both Mr Gething and Mr Miles said all WhatsApp messages they have had been handed to the inquiry. Mr Miles became education minister in a latter part of the pandemic, in 2021. He said there are things "which we could all do better".

Responding to the same question on the NHS, Vaughan Gething says that before it is decided who will be the next first minister, there will be a new UK government budget, which will give a better idea if there are more resources.

He adds that more funds are needed in health and education, and that it’s important to see the whole picture when discussing pay restoration for junior doctors.

He adds that it’s important to find a way forward on the issue.

The first question from the audience is around the issue of junior doctors' strikes and waiting lists in Wales. The candidates are asked what they would do as first minister to resolve these issues?

Jeremy Miles says it's fair for people to want to be fairly paid, and that it's important to enter into dialogue.

He adds that the NHS requires more funding, and that all public services in Wales and the UK need more funding.

He also says the NHS needs support to adapt to the pressures it's facing.

Miles adds that it's important to be honest, but also to listen to what junior doctors are saying.

Gareth Lewis
Political Editor, BBC Wales

Both camps say they think the vote will be close - both candidates then will need to make an impression tonight on anyone still undecided.

But with little to choose between them on policies, what might help Labour and affiliated members make up their minds? Remember, it is a tiny proportion of Wales’ population who will get to choose the man who ultimately becomes the next first minister.

Don’t expect any wild new policy announcements - both men are cabinet ministers so are bound by cabinet responsibility and occupy a similar position on Labour’s political spectrum.

It might come down to plausibility. Will it be Mr Miles or Mr Gething who presents not just the most plausible vision for Wales’ future, but also presents themselves as the most plausible person to take on Wales’ top job?

A close race?published at 20:50 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February

20:50 GMT 21 February

Daniel Davies
BBC Wales political correspondent

Voting has started, but the Labour Party closely guards information about how many votes have been cast until it announces the result.

Instead, the campaigns glean what they can from interactions with party and trade union members.

They have field teams – volunteers who phone and text the voters to ask for their support.

People on both sides tell me they are happy with how things are going.

Make of that what you will, but if it means the race really is close then avoiding slip-ups in this TV debate will be even more important.

Image source, Getty Images

Let’s give you a bit of background about who these two men are.

Vaughan Gething is Wales’ economy minister, but you may recognise him more from his time as health minister during the Covid-19 pandemic when he was a regular on our screens.

His rival Jeremy Miles currently serves as the education minister and previously worked as the Welsh government's top lawyer.

Both Gething and Miles have already set out their stalls in terms of priorities if they win, and you can read their manifestos here.

In a debate held last week, Mr Gething said that being “tested in the fiercest heat” of the pandemic and Tata steel crisis showed that he would be the best leader, while Mr Miles said as leader he would make Welsh Labour the “natural political home” for people across the country.

Read more about the two candidates:

• Vaughan Gething quick guide
• Jeremy Miles quick guide

We have had some breaking news ahead of the debate this evening after it emerged that Vaughan Gething accepted £200,000 for his campaign for the Labour party leadership from a company run by a man who was twice convicted for environmental offences.

David Neal was given a suspended prison sentence in 2013 for illegally dumping waste on a conservation site – he was prosecuted again four years later for not removing it.

Mr Gething has vowed to introduce tougher penalties for those who break environmental rules.

His campaign said all donations were declared in line with the rules.

Read more here.

Bethan Rhys Roberts
Presenter of tonight's debate

From Richard Nixon sweating in front of the cameras back in the 1960s, to Gordon Brown and David Cameron trying to impress the Liberal Democrats with their "I agree with Nick [Clegg]" before the 2010 election.

Or maybe Donald Trump prowling on stage with Hilary Clinton in the presidential race in 2016.

Yes, some TV debates have made it into the history books, and their influence on the vote are still being discussed today.

It’s unlikely that tonight’s debate between Jeremy Miles and Vaughan Gething will be given any international attention, but in the next hour we’ll get the opportunity to see the two people who want to be the next Welsh first minister agreeing or disagreeing on policies and priorities in front of a live audience.

It will be an opportunity to hear about their pledges, but we’ll hopefully learn more about the two men’s personalities, nature and values.

Image source, PA Media

Both men are vying to become the next first minister of Wales, replacing Mark Drakeford who late last year announced he was stepping down after five years in the role.

Speaking at a press conference in the Welsh Parliament in December, Drakeford said: “When I stood for the leadership I said that, if elected, I would serve for five years. Exactly five years have passed since I was confirmed as first minister in 2018.”

Whoever wins the leadership contest - the result of which will be announced on 16 March - will be set to lead Welsh Labour into the next UK general election, which is expected to take place later this year.

They will also have to deal with a host of issues in Welsh politics, including the current farmer protests, as well as some backlash to the 20mph speed limit in built-up areas.

Good evening and welcome to our live coverage of the Welsh Labour leadership debate between the only two contenders, Vaughan Gething and Jeremy Miles, who will be vying to replace Mark Drakeford as the next Welsh Labour leader and the new first minister of Wales.

You can watch the debate live by clicking Play at the top of this page after the debate starts at 21:00 GMT, and follow along here as we bring you the latest developments and analysis.