Sunak, Starmer clash over taxes and health in 1st U.K. election debate

Conservative leader Rishi Sunak sought to boost his party’s dismal outlook, while Labour’s Keir Starmer aimed to cement his status as favourite to become the next prime minister.

The two main contenders to become Britain’s prime minister sparred Tuesday over tax, the cost of living and the country’s creaking health system in an inconclusive televised debate ahead of election day on July 4.

Conservative leader Rishi Sunak was hoping to boost his party’s dismal outlook, while Labour’s Keir Starmer aimed to cement his status as favorite. Both acknowledged the country’s many problems, from fraying public services to a broken immigration system. But neither could say outright, when asked, where they would find the money to fix them.

Sunak stressed his stewardship of the economy, which has seen inflation fall to just over 2% from a peak of more than 11% in late 2022. He said should stick with him because his “clear plan” for the economy was working.

Starmer said the election was a choice between more “chaos and division” with the Conservatives and “turning the page and rebuilding with Labour.”

Polls currently give center-left Labour a double-digit lead. To win, Starmer must persuade voters who previously backed the Tories that Labour can be trusted with the U.K.’s economy, borders and security.

Televised debates are a relatively recent addition to U.K. elections, first held in 2010. That debate spurred support for then-Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, triggering a wave of “Cleggmania” that helped propel him into the deputy prime minister post in a coalition government with the Conservatives.

No debate since has had the same impact, but they have become a regular feature of election campaigns. Several more are scheduled before polling day, some featuring multiple party leaders as well as the two front-runners.

Speaking in front of a live audience on a sleek, futuristic set at the studios of broadcaster ITV in Salford, northwest England, both Starmer and Sunak appeared nervous. Voters may have got the impression their choice is between two cautious and rather dull managers.