Sunak and Starmer face off in first TV leaders' debate of the general election

The two leaders squared up in an often bad-tempered debate over the issues of NHS, tax, migration and national service.

Aired by ITV, it was the first of several TV debates lined up before the 4 July election.

#generalelection2024 #rishisunak #keirstarmer

[johnhodgetts]

Although they were both awful, this was a really terribly moderated debate, with the presenter allowing Sunak to talk over Starmer unchecked. The same was not true the other way around.

[monkeyboy]

It's my experience that Rishi Sunak is a liar and cannot be trusted about, "Government integrity, professionalism and accountability at every level", 25/10/22 outside number 10.

[averagejoe]

Etchingham allowed sunak to speak freely while constantly interrupting starmer Protecting sunak from scrutiny a complete farce of a debate And a waste of time !

[iactr]

Starmer was weak & didn’t answer a lot of questions. I don’t like The Tories for what they’ve done to the UK but Sunak did a good job here. Starmer has no excuse as a lawyer and good debater generally, he’s lost here.

[Britain]

Sunak is a liar.
The UK government currently has almost £5 trillion worth of pension liabilities which it will have to pay in the future (£1.2 trillion for public service pensions and £3.84 trillion in respect of the state pension). Most of these are unfunded, meaning that they are largely paid out of annual tax revenues and the bill for them is being passed on to future generations, or like to fall apart and more likely the amount promised may not be delivered. because today’s government is not putting money aside to cover them.

[brad]

Think it might be time to give Reform a go. We’ve got nothing to lose anyway.

[DJMIGHTYZION]

Don’t vote labour don’t vote conservatives ffs 🤦

[nick]

Choice is an illusion all be it a persistent one

[joancooley]

So will Sunak give Rachel Reeves a guided tour of the Treasury. Will he lay bare the books (uncooked). Everyone hears it differently. Sunak couldn’t control his anger. He can’t take being contradicted. He starts shouting and quite aggressive and has a spiteful mouth. First time at this for Starmer. As he said at one point ‘waiting’ to get a word in. That’s not a sign of weakness on his part. He’s just not neurotic . Sunak is and just can’t hide it.

[tsouth]

Are electing the milk monitor? 30 second answer, raise your hand if? Don’t mute the microwave.

[stephenc]

We deserve better than this, flannel flannel lies lies. Tax the super rich, close the off shore loopholes and stop helping your lobbyist friends. This is not entertainment!!

[nelty]

Both did terrible. Keir was disappointing. Rishi rehashed the same old. Not sure he believes what he's saying half the time.
A much stronger moderater is needed.

[drasticplasticaustin]

That audience must have come away feeling punished. Neither Starmer or Sunak were convincing, they left more questions than answers and I certainly thought their supposed sincerity looked very play acted. If they were out to win trust they blew that laughably. In keeping with PM's Question Time this was school playground stuff.

[zynspxl]

Why doesn't anyone mention how sunak used public funds as a personal piggy bank

[dinnerwaltz]

The US presidential debate hasn't even started yet and the whole world is looking forward to it,
the British prime ministerial debate, which has already begun, but is getting no attention at all, lol

[joshuaherbert]

I wish Starmer just said "STOP LYING" rather than saying "ridiculous". Sunak was extremely disrespectful to both the moderator and Starmer.

[PawsThought]

ignore these, there is no option unless the system is changed

[tyromenobber-fbls]

No real fan of either but what became clear is that Starmer does not have any answers or plans....can't just get away with saying Tory bad anymore.

[IRSH-syjn]

Many of us would like to see an end to homelessness the labour leader refuses to speak about the homeless problem in the country we thank the prime minister for helping last year to serve up meal to the homeless people

[PerceivedREALITY]

sunak, starmer, macron, trudeau, biden, zelensky and netanyahu are competing for the clown of the year award. It's going to be a close contest this year.