Tory leadership rivals stepped up their attacks on each other’s records and policies in their latest TV debate.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss told ex-chancellor Rishi Sunak that tax rises he introduced would “choke off” growth. Mr. Sunak accused Ms. Truss of peddling “something-for-nothing economics”. Other flashpoints were trans rights, Brexit, and trust in politics.
All five ruled out an early general election if they became prime minister in seven weeks. In the hour-long ITV debate, some of the fiercest clashes were between Mr. Sunak and Ms. Truss, whose divisions over how to bring rising living costs under control while growing the economy were laid bare.
The record of Mr. Sunak, who won the first two rounds of MPs’ voting, as chancellor has come under sustained attack during the leadership campaign. In the debate, Ms. Truss said Mr. Sunak had “raised taxes to the highest level in 70 years”, arguing that this was “not going to drive economic growth”.
The key feature of these debates so far has been how willing the candidates are to tear lumps out of each other. Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss are regularly going into battle – strongly criticizing each other’s economic plans. If they get into the final two, the next few weeks look likely to be just as heated for the Tories.
Liberal Democrat Leader, Sir Ed Davey said none of the Tory candidates have “a plan to get our country out of the crisis that they have caused” and urged the party’s new leader to call a general election as soon as they are in the post.
