(ANSA) – LONDON, JUL 26 – A no-holds-barred clash was the first televised debate between former Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak and Foreign Minister Liz Truss who met last night live on BBC for leadership of the Conservative Party and the role of the next British Prime Minister.
The former Treasury Minister immediately went on the attack, trying to make up for the disadvantage among Tory members who will have to choose Boris Johnson’s successor with their vote.
Truss’s proposal for an immediate tax cut to alleviate the plight of the British was branded by Sunak as “not responsible”. While the Foreign Office owner replied: “If we follow Rishi’s plans we are headed for a recession.”
Mutual accusations on an alleged soft line on China and on the relationship with Johnson were also discussed, which sees Truss represent a strong continuity with respect to the past: it is no coincidence that she enjoys the support of a large part of the internal right and the most extremist orphans of the outgoing premier.
According to the spot poll made by Opinium immediately after the debate, 39% of viewers believe that the former Chancellor of the Exchequer prevailed while for 38% Truss. But for 47% of Tory voters, the latter prevailed, against 38% of those who declared themselves in favor of Sunak. However, according to a survey by Sky News, it is Johnson, with 40% of the votes, who is still the most popular among conservative voters today, while 29% is for Sunak and 24% for Truss.
Thus, speculations about an unlikely return of the outgoing prime minister are growing, among other things denied by Downing Street. There is also a demonstration petition, which would have collected more than 10 thousand signatures among members of the ruling party, in which Johnson is asked to participate as a third contender in the final vote between Sunak and Truss. (HANDLE).
Source: Ansa
I have been working in the news industry for over 10 years now and I have worked for some of the biggest news websites in the world. My focus has always been on entertainment news, but I also cover a range of other topics. I am currently an author at Global happenings and I love writing about all things pop-culture related.
