Sunak Edges Starmer in Fierce First Debate, But Victory Remains Uncertain for Tories

Rishi Sunak emerged slightly ahead in the first televised debate, though it may not be enough for electoral success. According to a YouGov instant poll, the Prime Minister received 51% support compared to Sir Keir Starmer's 49%. Sunak consistently emphasized the potential for tax increases under a Labour government, echoing the tactics Gordon Brown employed against David Cameron in 2010.

Senior political reporter @joncraig

Wednesday, June 5, 2024, 06:

Trailing in the polls, Rishi Sunak was compelled to adopt a more aggressive stance in the initial televised debate among party leaders.

Indeed, he took a confrontational approach, persistently questioning Sir Keir Starmer, especially regarding tax issues, which forced the Labour leader into a defensive position.

Recent Poll Results: Rishi Sunak Seen as Winner Over Keir Starmer in Initial Television Debate, According to Quick Survey

The YouGov instant poll showed a close result, with the prime minister receiving 51% and Sir Keir Starmer close behind at 49%, which seems accurate.

It seems the prime used a slight edge in the debate. However, Sir Keir must step up his efforts and meet Mr. Sunak's intensity when they face off again in the upcoming debate later this month.

Mr. Sunak consistently emphasized the potential for increased taxes under a Labour government. Meanwhile, Starmer persistently criticized Sunak regarding the Conservative Party's governance over the previous 14 years.

Right off the bat, the prime minister aggressively pushed his point, charging that Labour intended to implement tax increases of £2,000.

He repeated it multiple times. The straightforward claim: Labour intends to raise taxes, including for retirees. It was blunt, yet it worked effectively.

For an enhanced viewing experience, it is recommended to use the Chrome browser.

As the debate neared its conclusion, Sir Keir emphatically rejected the tax allegation, labeling it as "garbage." Throughout much of the discussion, the Labour leader found himself on the defensive, responding to attacks rather than initiating them.

This was pure political maneuvering. Nonetheless, vegetarian Rishi Sunak presented himself with the vigor of someone who had just consumed a hefty steak prior to the debate, if not something even more substantial.

The leader of the Labour Party, who previously served as the director of public prosecutions (a role he often referenced), is typically more comfortable speaking to judges or juries rather than engaging with a television audience.

For an optimal video viewing experience, it is recommended to use the Chrome browser

This political arena was much less accommodating to the Labour leader's meticulous, legalistic style compared to when he faced Sunak during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons.

Host Julie Etchingham did an outstanding job, especially during moments when the two leaders were talking over each other. Should Sir Lindsay Hoyle ever decide to step down as the Speaker of the House of Commons, she would be a fantastic replacement!

The prime minister seemed to have taken lessons from his debates with Liz Truss during the Conservative leadership contest. At that time, he was the restrained, prudent figure in contrast to her, who made extravagant assertions.

She emerged victorious, as the conservative crowd was indifferent.

Further reading: Alarm is likely to rise among Conservatives following a shocking survey. The poll indicates the Prime Minister prevailed in the initial debate. Farage was doused with a milkshake.

This occasion saw Sunak making allegations, addressing not only taxes but also terrorism and defense issues. "Insulting!" Sir Keir retorted, though his response came off as somewhat feeble and delayed.

During the initial 30 minutes of the hour-long debate, Sir Keir sometimes seemed sluggish and contemplative. He performed more effectively when discussing the NHS compared to his responses on taxation, humorously critiquing NHS waiting times by saying, "You're the guy who's supposed to be good at maths."

Sir Keir exceeded expectations when he articulated Labour's contentious strategy to impose VAT on private schools, and then, as anticipated, he performed strongly regarding the proposal to tax non-domiciled residents.

However, he faced difficulties once more when the prime minister charged that Labour intended to impose taxes on state pensions.

Interestingly, the debate on immigration ended in a deadlock, with Sunak failing to receive any applause for his "stop the boats" strategy. However, he regained some ground by stating, "You might not like it, but I've got a plan."

He subsequently positioned Sir Keir on the back foot once more by confronting him with the question, "How would you handle illegal immigrants entering our nation?"

The prime minister adopted an assertive and confrontational stance during their latest disagreement over defense and security issues.

However, throughout that conversation, the prime minister repeated his criticism regarding taxes: "It's inevitable, just as night follows day, that he will raise your taxes."

Stay informed with the most recent updates from the UK and internationally by tuning into Sky News.

Starmer gained favor with the audience by mocking the prime minister's "teenage Dad's Army," while Mr. Sunak finished by stating, "In uncertain times, we simply cannot afford a prime minister who is unsure."

During the 2010 general election campaign, Gordon Brown employed a specific line of reasoning in his debates with David Cameron, which ultimately proved ineffective for Brown.

Stay ahead with the latest Breaking News

Download the Sky News application at no cost

Barring a significant reversal in current polling trends, Mr. Sunak's assertive tactics and bare-knuckled approach are unlikely to yield success in the 2024 elections.

Associated Subjects

Sky News Bottom Section

Information on Sky News

Services Offered by Sky News

Sky Networks

Additional Sky Websites