The pair clashed over taxes and Boris Johnson in their first live one-on-one TV debate – which saw them come out neck and neck in a snap Opinium poll
London(UK)- Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss stepped up the blue-on-blue attacks in a fiery head-to-head showdown which saw them clash over taxes, the schools they went to and their loyalty to Boris Johnson.
The pair were grilled over their economic policy, China and even earrings in their first live TV debate since making it down to the final two in the Tory leadership race.
They came out neck and neck in a snap Opinium poll of who performed best, with Mr Sunak just ahead at 39%, compared to Ms Truss at 38%.
The debate started with a particularly heated discussion about the economy – which has been a critical dividing line in the race to succeed Mr Johnson.
Former chancellor Mr Sunak claimed there is “nothing Conservative” about Ms Truss’s approach, and it would give the party “absolutely no chance” of winning the next election.
Foreign Secretary Ms Truss, in turn, suggested her rival would lead the country into a recession and accused him of “doom and gloom” economics.
As well as reversing the National Insurance tax hike, Ms Truss has said she would put an economic growth plan in place “immediately” if she becomes prime minister, along with imposing a temporary moratorium on the green energy levy.
Ms Truss said her plans would see the government start paying down the debt in three years, but Mr Sunak hit back: “You’ve promised over £40bn of unfunded tax cuts – £40bn more borrowing.
“That is the country’s credit card, and it’s our children and grandchildren; everyone here’s kids will pick up the tab for that.
“There’s nothing Conservative about it.”
Mr Sunak has insisted the tax burden – the highest for 70 years – was the result of the unprecedented levels of government spending needed to keep the economy afloat during the Covid-19 pandemic.
But Ms Truss said no other country was putting up taxes and accused Mr Sunak of having no plan for growth.
He spoke over Ms Truss a number of times as he warned inflation was a problem in the 1980s and it is a “problem we have now”.
He said her economic adviser has said that her plan will lead to mortgage interest rates going up to 7% and claimed this would “tip millions of people into misery”.
But Ms Truss hit back: “This Chancellor has raised taxes to the highest rate in 70 years, and we’re now predicted a recession. The truth is in the figures.”
The pair also clashed over China as Ms Truss claimed Mr Sunak’s new tough stance was “driven by the Foreign Office”.
Ms Truss was also asked about her suggestion in last week’s debate that her comprehensive school background would make her a better prime minister.
But it wasn’t all bad-tempered, with the foreign secretary complimenting Mr Sunak’s dress sense at one point.
Earlier today, Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries hit out at Mr Sunak by comparing his expensive suit and shoes to Liz Truss’ £4.50 Claire’s Accessories earrings – which caused quite a stir.
When asked to address the issue, Mr Sunak said the leadership hopefuls should be judged “by their character and actions”.
He said he “wasn’t born this way” as his family emigrated to the UK 60 years ago and had previously worked as a waiter at an Indian restaurant.
‘Great admirer of his dress sense’
Ms Truss would not completely disown Ms Dorries’ comments, but she did appear to distance herself from them as she said she wasn’t sure where the £4.50 claim about her earrings came from.
And she said she does not have “any issue with how expensive anybody else’s clothes are” and is “not going to give Rishi fashion advice”, adding she is a “great admirer of his dress sense”.
In another rare sign of harmony, both candidates said they would want the other to be involved in their government – although allies of Ms Truss were reported to have said Mr Sunak had demonstrated “aggressive mansplaining and shouty private school behaviour” during the debate.
