Keir Starmer made a rather revealing comment in last night’s leaders’ debate, which has landed overnight as a key stumbling block for him. The two leaders were asked if they would pay for private healthcare if their loved one desperately needed it. Sunak unequivocally said yes – he would, like most people, if they could gather the funds, in order to treat their family member. Starmer was not so compassionate…
Starmer answered that he would never pay for private healthcare, ever – adding that his wife works in the NHS. The idea that Starmer would rather watch a loved one die than cough up the cash based on ideology may not quite be the win LOTO may think it is. Either it’s heartless, or it’s a lie…
For co-conspirators following the sojourn of Seb Payne towards a safe seat, there is bad news tonight. He missed out on selection in Michael Gove’s former seat by a whisker, just two votes. It might have to be next time, Seb…
Rishi Sunak drew a round of applause from the audience when speaking on immigration. Pointing to his flagship Rwanda deterrent policy, he reminded the crowd of Starmer’s track record on voting against laws to tackle migration:
“As ever you say one thing up here, but your track record says something completely different and you can’t be trusted on immigration. I’m going to put people on planes. What are you going to do? Just tell everybody, what are you going to do with illegal migrants who arrive on planes?”
He added that he was prepared to take the UK out of the ECHR, while Starmer said he would not. The immigration election…
Starmer drew laughter from the audience by mocking Rishi Sunak’s claim that NHS waiting lists are decreasing. Sunak tried to defend the Tories’ record on waiting lists, saying they “are coming down“. Starmer hit back: “they were 7.2 million, now they’re 7.5 million,” finishing with a joke: “this is the guy who says he’s good at maths!” The main clippable moment from the first half was a win for Starmer..
The party leaders are in Manchester for a head to head. Dry opening statements have been delivered. Guido will bring you the key moments…
UPDATE: Debate ends. Starmer didn’t fold, Sunak delivered dividing lines…
UPDATE II: YouGov snap poll: Sunak 51%, Starmer 49%
Read the live updates below:
The Tories are trying every trick in the book to appeal to voters – including trying get ‘down with the kids’ with some simple language in their latest begging letter for donations from voters. Not quite the look Guido would go for…
Sent from “Tony’s iPhone” and signed off with “sent from my iPhone“, it looks just like something something the stalker Martha in Netflix’s Baby Reindeer would write. Perhaps CCHQ staff haven’t seen the show…
Hat-Tip: Jack Elsom
