RISHI Sunak and Liz Truss were grilled by Sun readers tonight during a fiery debate on TalkTV – here are four key points from the showdown.
Right from kick off Mr Sunak and Ms Truss clashed on a range of issues, including fixing the cost of living squeeze, saving the NHS and tackling inflation.
Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss battled head-to-head during Trending In The News’s leadership debate on TalkTV
Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss clashed on issues including tackling inflation and the NHS
The wannabe PMs were put to the test by Sun readers, who directly quizzed them on why their plan to tackle these problems would work best.
At 6.31pm the live debate was brought to a halt after TalkTV host Kate McCann fainted.
A News UK spokeswoman said: “Kate McCann fainted on air tonight and although she is fine, the medical advice was that we shouldn’t continue with the debate. We apologise to our viewers and listeners.”
But for half an hour beforehand the Foreign Secretary and ex-Chancellor traded blows during what was a showstopper clash.
The pair did not hold back in giving their honest views.
Here are five key points they raised.
Truss described Sunak’s tax plans as a “false economy”
Ms Truss hit out at Mr Sunak’s plans not to immediately slash taxes and to keep National Insurance and Corporation Tax up.
The ex-Chancellor has repeatedly said he won’t make any major fiscal pledges until inflation is under control.
He argued that raising taxes such as National Insurance was necessary to help clear horrible NHS backlogs.
But Ms Truss rubbished the idea that higher taxes mean more money for public services.
She said: “It is a false economy to say that somehow by raising taxes we’re going to bring more money in. No we’re not. We’re going to put people off working.”
Truss vowed to slash red tape for farmers to make food cheaper
Ms Truss promised Sun reader Gemma in Manchester that she will slash the annoying red tape that is making food prices soar.
Her pledge came after Gemma complained that the spiralling cost of meet has made her consider becoming vegetarian.
The Foreign Secretary said: “I would reduce red tape on farmers and focus on food production because this is an important issue to help families across Britain and help make life more affordable for families across Britain.
Ms Truss added that it is important Britain is resilient and has a good supply in the face of global problems such as the war in Ukraine.
Both leadership candidates proudly played up their links to the NHS
Sun reader John in Birmingham prompted the wannabe PMs to explain why the NHS is so important to them and what they will do to fix its problems.
John is suffering from cancer and found himself relying on a charity for help.
Mr Sunak told John he “grew up in an NHS family”.
The ex-Chancellor said: “My mum was a local chemist and my dad was a GP. I know first-hand what an enormous difference healthcare makes.
Mr Sunak said the NHS is under strain because of the Covid pandemic.
He added that the National Insurance rise he introduced this year will help with crippling waiting times.
Talking up her NHS credentials, Ms Truss explained that her mum worked as a nurse at St James’ Hospital in Leeds, specialising in cancer research.
She said: “I know a lot of work goes into that area but we need to do more, and there has been issues during Covid about people being able to get the help they need.”
Ms Truss pledged to fix the NHS by cracking down on the micromanagement of frontline healthcare workers.
The Foreign Secretary added that she will tackle backlogs through funding from general taxation.
The wannabe PMs clashed on how to tackle inflation as they trashed the Government’s record
Foreign Secretary Ms Truss drove a dump truck over Mr Sunak’s record during his three years in the Treasury.
She took aim at his National Insurance and planned Corporation Tax rise, pledging to “relieve the burden on Sun readers” by scrapping both.
Ms Truss railed: “It’s wrong that we currently have the highest tax burden in this country that we’ve had for 70 years.
“And I believe that Sun readers want us to keep to our manifesto commitment of not raising taxes.”
But Mr Sunak hit back branding her plans “morally wrong”.
The ex-Chancellor accused Truss of cooking up fantasy promises – and said his priority was to bring down inflation.
He blasted: “I think Sun readers are sensible enough and have enough common sense to know that you don’t get something for nothing.”
Ms Truss flew out of the blocks to champion her key promise of lower taxes – and hurled a broadside at the former Chancellor for hiking taxes during his three years in the Treasury.
Mr Sunak hit back that her tax-cutting spree would only fuel inflation further, and said it was “immoral” to saddle our kids with future debt.
He said: “It’s important what we leave our kids and our grandkids, and I think it is important to think about that inheritance, and I don’t want to pass them a bill.”
