As the American presidential race heats up, the BBC in London and National Public Radio in America team up for a special joint broadcast.

On 4 November, just days before Americans go to the polls, Radio 5's Late Night Live presenter Brian Hayes and WNYC presenter Brian Lehrer will co-present an historic transatlantic phone-in, in conjunction with BBC News Online.

Return to this page to hear the programme live at midnight (GMT) until 0100 on Saturday 4 November.

The programme will explore the key issues of the election race with the help of studio guests and callers from both sides of the pond.

Democratic candidate Al Gore and Republican candidate George W Bush have fundamental differences on foreign policy, healthcare and education.

So who will be the right man for the most powerful political office in the world?

E-mail your views to: [email protected] or telephone: +44 (0) 500 909 693

The two Brians

Although it has been a decade since Brian Lehrer earned the New York Press Club's "Heart of New York" Award, he continues to intrigue New Yorkers with On the Line, a weekday discussion programme on politics and social issues.

Every Sunday, Brian hosts On the Media, enlightening NPR listeners throughout the country with his edgy interviews about the way the media reflect and influence our culture and politics.

Before his arrival at WNYC, Brian was an anchor and reporter for NBC Radio Networks, a television host, and an award-winning author. He even plays an occasional ditty on the kazoo to spur on The Independents, WNYC's intrepid softball team, which he also coaches.

Despite intensive treatment for Yankees fanaticism, Brian has happily resisted a cure.

Brian Hayes presents Late Night Live (Friday, Radio 5 Live, 2200-0100), a lively and interactive news discussion programme on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Between 1976 and 1990 he was the controversial presenter of the morning phone-in show on LBC Radio, considered to be an important outlet for the views of Londoners and inspired many imitations around the country.

In 1980 Brian was the Variety Club's Independent Radio Personality of the Year. He won a special award from Sony in 1987 for his outstanding contribution to the development of radio.

Brian joined the BBC in 1992 to host Radio 2's breakfast show and then in 1993 won another Sony Award in the Phone-in section for his programme Hayes over Britain.

In 1999 Late Night Live won a Sony Award for its coverage of the Soho Bomb disaster, covering events as they unfolded with urgency and sensitivity.

Brian's pastimes include the theatre, opera, cinema, television and literature. He enjoys travelling, mostly in the United States and his native Australia.