old chancellor Rishi Sunak and Tom Tugendhat improved their chances of becoming next Tory leader with their performance in the first tv debateaccording to bookmakers Betfair Exchange.
The debate, broadcast on Channel 4, saw Kemi Bandenoch, Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss, Tom Tugendhat and Penny Mordaunt clash over taxes, the trans issue and green policy.
Sunak lowered his chances from 7/2 to 11/4, while outsider Tugenhadt more than halved his chances for Tory leadership from 119/1 to 48/1, according to Betfair Exchange’s latest odds.
Penny Mordaunt remains the favorite but drifts slightly from 11/10 to 6/5.
Liz Truss is now third behind Sunak, extending her chances from 3/1 to 7/2 during the debate.
Betfair’s Sam Rosbottom said: “According to real-time odds moves, Rishi Sunak and Tom Tugenhadt performed best tonight, with the former Chancellor reclaiming second place in the Tory leadership betting.
“Outsider Tugenhadt still has a mountain to climb, but his chances have more than halved from 119/1 to 50/1 as Liz Truss slipped her position as the main challenger.
“Penny Mourdant remains the favorite at 6/5, but as she had the chance to become prime minister all day long, she failed to capitalize on her lead, suggesting the race for number ten is still wide open.”
The candidates appear in a series of TV debates before the field is narrowed down to two candidates.