The five MPs still in tonight’s Conservative leadership race have dealt blows in Channel 4’s televised debate. It’s the first time the contestants have had the chance to grill each other face to face and throw out their opponents’ pitches. to dawn.
After 90 minutes back and forth, there was only one clear winner.
Rishi Sunak sounded aware of the details, with a clear cohesive plan for the nation, and did not flinch under the pressure of his rivals.
When the cost of living crisis is the main issue facing the country, it is an advantage to have been finance minister.
The Richmond MP proved tonight that he was the man of the numbers. He knew the price of what he and the others promised, and he knew it was his trump card.
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Ms Mordaunt has promised to reduce VAT on fuel and raise income tax thresholds in line with inflation and Mr Sunak wasted no time in dispersing her on this subject.
He claimed her tax cuts would cost around £15bn, adding: “The best way to help everyone, the best way to make sure they have money in their pockets is to get a grip on inflation.”
The current Commerce Secretary has not defended himself well against the attack.
Ms. Mordaunt also came under fire for trans issues.
Both Liz Truss and Kemi Badenoch accused the Portsmouth North MP of being unfair to voters, claiming she had supported self-identification when she was responsible for equality issues before changing her mind.
She strongly denied the allegations, but was repeatedly accused by Mrs. Badenoch of not telling the truth.
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When the entire leadership contest was provoked due to a lack of confidence in the party’s current leader, questions that linger about a candidate’s ability to be honest will do little to entice them in the public eye.
And about her commitment to the UK’s commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, Ms Mordaunt was not clear.
She said the progress towards net zero “must contribute to our industrial renaissance and leveling up” without giving any real policy on how she would ensure that was the case.
Overall, her performance left viewers with more questions than answers.
Since launching her leadership campaign earlier this week, Ms. Mordaunt has built momentum, looking and sounding like a prime minister.
But tonight there will be concerns about whether the style has any substance.
From the start of the Tory leadership race, Mr Sunak looked assured of a place in the final two.
It seemed increasingly likely that Mrs. Mordaunt would be the other candidate on the final ballot. But after tonight the race for 2nd place is wide open.