On Tuesday, 4th June, a highly anticipated TV debate aired on ITV, featuring Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer. The debate marked a crucial moment ahead of the upcoming General Election on 4th July, where voters will decide between the two major political forces in England.
The hour-long discussion, known as the “leadership debate,” was centred around key issues that have been dominating the political discourse, including taxes, the cost of living, and the state of the NHS. As expected, the clash of views between the leaders showcased their party’s contrasting policies. Rishi Sunak claimed that Labour’s potential victory would lead to higher taxes, estimating an additional £2,000 per household. Given the current concerns surrounding the cost of living, this remark struck a nerve. Sunak also highlighted past missteps by former Prime Minister Liz Truss, hinting that her short-lived leadership exacerbated economic woes—a sentiment echoed by Keir Starmer.
However, the debate also raised questions about Starmer’s transparency regarding Labour’s taxation plans. Critics noted that Starmer sidestepped direct answers on whether taxes would indeed rise under Labour’s governance. Nonetheless, Labour MP Jon Ashworth was quick to dismiss Sunak’s claims, branding them as “garbage.”
The NHS emerged as a common ground, with both leaders revealing personal connections to the healthcare sector through family members who have worked in it. Yet, when it came to social care, there was significant disappointment. Between them, Sunak and Starmer spent a mere 36 seconds addressing this vital issue, leaving many viewers frustrated by the lack of detailed discussion.
A key point of criticism was the debate’s format, which allocated only 45 seconds per leader to respond to each question. Many felt that the time was insufficient for the leaders to properly delve into complex issues such as taxes, social care, and immigration.
Polling conducted by YouGov after the debate revealed a near-even split in public opinion, with 51% of respondents favoring Sunak’s performance, while 49% sided with Starmer. The tight margin reflects the finely balanced political landscape as the election nears.
Looking ahead, another debate will air on Friday, 7th June, hosted by the BBC. This debate will broaden the field, including representatives from seven of the largest political parties: Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrats, SNP, Green Party, Plaid Cymru, and Reform UK. Viewers can expect this debate to delve deeper into the policy differences across the political spectrum as Election Day approaches.
This election season is shaping up to be one of the most pivotal in recent history, with key issues such as the economy, healthcare, and immigration at the forefront of voters’ minds. With only weeks to go until the 4th July election, every debate and campaign moment will count.