In the first TV debate of the race for the Tory leadership, the front-runners disagreed on the best way to pay for public services and keep inflation under control.
Liz Truss, the foreign secretary, called the tax increases implemented by the former chancellor Rishi Sunak “wrong” and promised to undo them.
The NHS must be funded, according to Mr. Sunak, who also accused her of indulging in economic “fairy tales.”
Rivals also argued on Boris Johnson, transgender rights, and political trust.
The first of two debates this weekend on Channel 4 TV featured all five of the remaining contestants for the Tory leadership.
They arrive before Monday’s second round of voting by MPs.
Next week, Tory MPs will narrow the field to two remaining candidates before approximately 160,000 Tory members cast a postal ballot to choose the party’s new leader.
The economy played a significant role in the spirited 90 minutes of debate as candidates were questioned on how they would pay for public services and assist people with the cost of living amid a period of high inflation.
Mr. Sunak, who is presently leading among MPs, was compelled to justify tax increases enacted while serving as chancellor, including the increase in National Insurance that took effect in April to pay for social care and the NHS.
