On Wednesday, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Keir Starmer faced off with voters during a live broadcast where they were challenged on their past decisions or promises made, as well as how they would fund policies if they win the poll on 4th July.
Both men took part in their latest television studio meeting before the election at which one by one each spoke to an interviewer and an audience that gave a sense of what it’s like for many people in Britain today, distrustful of politicians and struggling with everyday problems.
Going into an election that opinion polls say Labour should comfortably win with just over three weeks remaining, Sunak was jeered over such issues as his national service policy for young people, doctors’ strikes and immigration.
The other audience member said to Starmer that you have refused to answer questions but supported your predecessor Jeremy Corbyn who is left wing.
A poll conducted after this event held in Grimsby showed that 64% of respondents believed that Starmer had won the Sky News’ event.
He did not respond to whether he felt honest when saying in 2019 he thought ‘Jeremy Corbyn should become PM,’ however, Starmer told viewers he would commence his policies from day one if he was elected president.
“To say we are government is on your side. I want us all, very much, to be able to roll up our sleeves together,” said Starmer nodding towards the rumbling applause. “That means so much more than anything else is having been there for these last fourteen years.”
Sunak heckled
Some members of the audience criticized Sunak’s policies because they still could not get dentist appointments or reduce waiting lists at NHS or stop illegal migrants coming in small boats?
“Of course we have been through tough times… I know it’s been difficult for every single person here tonight,” declared Mr Sunak at the end of his speech. “But I think we’ve turned a corner now and I think we have a clear plan for the future.”
“I am going to fight right through to the end of this election,” he said.
This came on a day when Sunak used his party’s manifesto to declare 17 billion pounds in tax cuts, arguing that Labour had no specific policy on how it will make people better off.
On Wednesday, Sunak reiterated that voting for Starmer would be giving him a blank check, restating the disputed claim that under Labour taxes would rise by over £2k. Starmer rejected this.
Labour is expected to counter the narrative with its own manifesto on Thursday, an outline of what the party intends to do if it wins power according to Starmer who added that such strategies will be anchored around wealth creation and economic growth.
Labour has constantly maintained it will adhere strictly to spending rules – which some might say is out of character for “tax and spend” Labour since Corbyn stepped down or even when confronted with Tory claims about rising taxation.
But Corbyn was the one who returned to haunt Starmer on Wednesday by asking if he still believed in his 2019 statement that the elderly radical would make a good premier, and if it’s true that a year later he ran as Labour leader with 10 leftist promises, many of which have since been abandoned.
“Do I change my position on those pledges? Yes I do,” answered Starmer. “I think this party should always put the country first.”
