The key moments from Sunak and Starmer's fiery first head-to-head debate | ITV News

[@KateJones77342]

This debate was awful. What's the point in giving someone only 45 seconds to give non-answers? Utterly awful.

[@SleepExports]

They should have made-out

[@elqord.1118]

I think even with 5 minutes you would just get more of the non-answers

[@alecjackson1187]

I agree they were non-answers

[@debee1544]

So they don't have to answer

[@gina-mariacara8010]

​@@SleepExportsthe best 😢😊

[@JoannaHammond]

ITV should be ashamed of itself, 45 seconds to answer? What a joke, it gave no time for any possible answer.

[@ceemmm3526]

Would you rather they have 5 mins to answer, and waste your time rambling on about the usual nonsense?

[@JoannaHammond]

@@ceemmm3526 Well, yeah, at least they get to say something that can be dug into. 45 seconds is just enough for a sound bite.

[@MarbleThumbs]

​@ceemmm3526 When it comes to the future of the country, yes. It's not about being bored or entertained like some kind of game show.

[@az71003]

and then she has the audacity to say "Gentlemen Please!"

[@shurst7779]

Starmer Dont even try to answer any questions just points the blame back

[@michaelmunaki1053]

Hate or like him Sunak was clear on his policies. Keir was just blaming without selling his policies..

[@123rocker0071987]

@michaelmunaki couldn't agree more with u, i felt the same while listening to KS, let's see what he is going to do now that he is the PM.......

[@fredfish4316]

You like him. Stop pretending to be unbiased.

[@mikenco]

This format is too American. It brings nothing to the table except rushed soundbites and imbalance. If you're going to do this, get a moderator who is actually capable of doing the job effectively.

[@TheRustedPixel]

I thought it was just me who found this moderator to be too curt and annoying. Nothing of substance was actually said.

[@nimzgaz7049]

What do you expect? A afternoon Tea party? This is where both leaders will show their true plans under pressure.

[@godofcycling]

Imagine Douglas Murray asking the questions.

[@nirvanafan500]

Useless debate. No answers. Both proven to fail the country .

[@niclas9990]

Love it, even when its on a UK network it's still America's fault. It's not obviously executives trying to make it easier to carve out soundbites that's driving the change, no, it's big bad America making your country stupid.

[@thebazgaz]

Terrible format. Seriously 45 seconds to answer how you are going to run the country for the next 5 years is treating the watching audience with contempt. Then add in talking over each other, and setting additional questions for each other. TV disaster.

[@swervit2165]

THEY DONT CARE

[@Gfls00]

Step backwards, they want it to be like the US when it comes to debating

[@bg1616]

@@Gfls00 it doesn't really need to be a debate. If they all are sure of their own ideas and what they will do, they only need to talk about their own stuff and not constantly attack the other party.

[@sky0007fall]

Soap opera

[@ismailh-dw4dh]

Any one with a single brain cell would be able to see Sunak absolutely demolished Starmer…he couldn’t respond to any of the questions!

[@Unknown-ov2kz]

Sunak: "The NHS is still recovering from COVID. We went through the best part of two years where the NHS couldn't conduct all the treatments it normally would and it is going to take time to recover from that, but we are now making progress, the waiting lists are now coming down, but what Keir Starmer didn't mention to you which you did Julie..." Starmer: "Hang on. Hang on. The waiting lists were 7.2 million they're now 7.5 million. He says they're coming down and this is the guy who says he's good at maths..." Sunak: "Yeah, yeah, they are now coming down. They are now coming down..." Starmer: "7.2 when you said you would get them down - 7.2 million, they are now 7.5 million. I'd like you to explain how they're coming down." Sunak: "Because they are coming down from where they were when they were higher and they're now on their way down. They are down right, yes because the NHS was impacted by Industrial Action and if it wasn't for that, half a million employment would have been safe." Time stamp: 2:21- 3:04 I'm not saying Starmer looked great at all in that debate, but my gosh, I wouldn't say Sunak demolished him either. I think they're just terrible and the more they speak the worse they look.

[@GI4JYT]

@@Unknown-ov2kz Well lets see in the next few months and years exactly what Starmer actually does?

[@glitteryroses]

Honestly, he actually sounds like he's sincerely doing the absolute best he can with what he knows and believes in, when his opponent literally had not more than a gang raid plan. I would vote Sunak back again lol. I need to see plans that are better than his, not a vapid, ampty person with nothing to hold on but attacks on Rishy's misdeeds

[@acallur8718]

you have no brain cells

[@deancox8634]

The worst moderation of any political debate I have seen in 30 years. Neither Starmer or Sunak were able to complete the most brief of responses. She then failed to stop both of them from constantly talking over each other. I learnt nothing except she is not up to the job!

[@vijayafernando1]

Just another distraction like immigration,taxes, economy etc. we should run the country not "experts"

[@jungleboy1]

agreed, i said it too very bad. Wasted 1 hour, but tbh i knew i wasnt getting bugger all from these 2 anyway.

[@doubts]

Yes, she was appalling.

[@richardphua2022]

I totally agree with you! Not only had the moderator done a miserable job, so had Sunak who repeatedly interrupted Starmer and dodged the questions! Shame on him! Totally unfit of Sunak to be even re-elected, let alone be the PM!

[@pcetera8483]

Vote independent/green (whoever is closest to majority) if a workers party of Britain isn't standing

[@JackWilkes-pb3rt]

A poorly moderated debate. 45 seconds answer is not enough and only invites sound bites. Sunak constantly allowed to talk over Starmer and Starmer stood there groaning. TV debates add nothing.

[@karlmatagne696]

It is the worst format I have ever seen in my entire life. It was both a disaster and a disgrace.

[@MoviesNGames007uk]

Farage would wipe the floor with these jokers

[@Leyton_music]

Bot

[@SBanderaB]

she did a great job - very fair and she controlled it when and where necessary. What are you talking about ? You obviously blame Starmer's lie on the moderator?

[@alanjones-007]

Come away from this, with no idea what Labours going to do???

[@Ngozika-ye9nq]

Rishi Sunak won the debate hands down. Starmer did not answer 90% of the questions directly but rambled on and digressed to stories not relevant to the question. The 10% of the times he answered directly, he offered only in part what Sunak already is doing or going to do. I was disappointed with the past 14 years of the Conservative party, but watching this debate and from the few accomplishments of Sunak, I trust he is a better leader with more comprehensible ideas. He understands what the country needs better than Starmer and appears by all accounts an honest enough fellow to see them through. I was not going to vote before this debate, but now I will definitely vote for Rishi Sunak.

[@creativecuts8831]

Sunak is visionary for one thing in contrast to Starmer who apparently is indecisive about virtually everything.

[@timbradshaw5481]

Sunak's policies don't work though. You shouldn't judge a politician on what they say. Unfortunately it seems Labour offer the same thing just with identity politics added in

[@FS-flash]

Sure keep on living in your fantasy-world, Sunak did so well, that no one voted for the torries. 🙂

[@jonathanodwyer8278]

Terrible format, ridiculous stipulations. Why can’t we foster proper debate?

[@butterfingers5404]

Why we don’t allow electric dog collars for these things

[@PeacockRhino]

They would both be shown up for the lightweight charlatans that they are that’s why!

[@chrisdobbing3403]

They need common sense first.

[@culturevulturepapi8948]

its all controlled theatre, rishi and starmer are best mates

[@sidarthsubramanian7480]

It was pretty good compared to debates we listen to in America

[@i_am_elle_gee6917]

I thought it's a high school debate being moderated by a Maths teacher 😅

[@bassmasta93]

And these are people in control of our lives.

[@shadowmoth9158]

Honestly even before partygate I thought rishi was a pretty good politician. He still is but the financial issues and the doctor strikes aren’t going to be dealt with under him. Partygate didn’t bother me much since I think as long as the country responsible for around 100 million people (including those who are citizens but live abroad) is taken care of and is fine let the politicians break as many laws as they want. Yes they shouldn’t be committing crimes etc anyways but it’s just something you gotta live with. But my Dad lost both his parents due to covid in 2020 and 2021 as well as his step mother into 2021 too. So he was absolutely infuriated by partygate Long story short the day liz truss was elected I became pro labour. Out of Boris, Liz, Rishi and probably every other MP currently in the Conservative Party I knew Rishi was the right man for the job. He isn’t perfect but everyone else is or was terrible After watching this debate I was reminded neither keir or Rishi are good people. I admired Rishi for paying his seatbelt fine but now I realise it was just to get more votes. They are both lying about their promises and this country is honestly just gonna get worse and worse.

[@rebeccajones9804]

@@shadowmoth9158it will get worse if the Tories stay in for sure

[@CamSam09]

😂😂

[@MrSpiderman1321]

Keir "Stammer" was struggling to talk in this debate

[@GI4JYT]

When does he not struggle to talk?

[@MintiesPoopin]

With all this modern technology you’d think they’d implement the feature to mute the mics.

[@helenclements5789]

Remember the Kilroy programme in the 90s? He had a hand-held microphone and could control who spoke and when. Microphone = power! They should have done something like that!

[@ThomasMurphy122]

It sort of feels like them speaking over each other and arguing is part of debate..

[@RileyWritey]

​@@ThomasMurphy122 No it isn't. A debate is where both sides hear one another out and then argue the point after either side has made their claim. This was just childish arguing, no professionalism whatsoever.

[@MintiesPoopin]

@@ThomasMurphy122 if they’re speaking over each other and arguing, isn’t that… an argument? I thought we were supposed to let the parties have their fair say like a *debate*.

[@StewartMiddleton]

I thought the moderator was out of her depth. Sunak took over asking side questions and was allowed to duck the tax lies. Victoria Derbyshire found the tax lies out yet this moderator failed to do so 10 times.

[@Mr.Haque01]

One of the reasons why the UK economy is so bad is foreign policy. Foreign policy gets a lot of attention and a lot of money is invested in it, but no leader pays attention to their Internal issues. It is a pity that the government always pays less attention to the position of working-class families.👀🇬🇧

[@pmac206]

The US is 100% at fault for the foreign policy. When they are weak and have a government full of war mongers the world burns .

[@sbjchef]

sunak was running this not the moderator

[@chrismccourt4454]

Abysmal work by ITV letting him run the show

[@plol]

Sounds Prime ministerial to me

[@suez9553]

He didn’t sound prime ministerial. He sounded like a bully.

[@andrewjones-productions]

You are right. They should have been made to speak through the Chair. That is exactly what they do in the House of Commons, albeit the Chair is referred to and known as the Speaker. It is therefore not an alien concept to either Sunak or Starmer.

[@Bertrum123]

True she was terrible letting him keep talking over starmer he almost became hsterical as soon as starmer opened his mouth it was a train wreck

[@noelmatherson8079]

Wow, poorly moderated debate.

[@harishpetrucci]

As an Indian living in America, this debate is so much better than the American debate.

[@mandlin4602]

It’s because both candidates have a higher IQ than 50 and education they are actually able to recall 😂

[@owi3693]

How come sunak got to interupt at whim? Disappointed by itv

[@karlmatagne696]

100% correct

[@smartpower6963]

It's his only option because he can't talk about his record

[@daddymulk]

Why you still watching these wef Puppet actors 😂😂😂

[@chrismccourt4454]

Good question

[@lord.of.veracity]

Sunak only interrupted when starmer wouldnt answer a question and just tried to get personal. Secondly only a halfwit thinks starmer is any better, he has backtracked on every single pledge, sunak is a tory behaving like a tory, starmer is a labour leader who behaves like a tory and has rid his party of any real labour leftists. Clear to see who is worse.

[@chrysalis4126]

Rishi talking about what everyones been through when it was his hedge fund company that helped cause the financial crash of the RBS! He made millions and we all had years of austerity after having to bail them out.

[@newin548]

He might have millions BUT where can he go to spend or hang on to it..he is turning our country into an Islamic state … we all know what that would mean! Dw

[@Vintage0808]

@@newin548 Ah yes - let’s throw in terms like Islamic State to deflect the anger at something else. If you wanted to look up a proper Islamic state you’d have to go back to the Ottomans who have run a better government than both of these loons.

[@doggieclaude]

@@Vintage0808 agree with you! Cannot believe some people read the Mail and think its all truth. A 6% Muslim population does not make an Islamic state

[@aleezashahnawaz6145]

@@Vintage0808 good reply!

[@Tron101]

It’s mad to watch this back and think damn Rishi was right and we didn’t listen. I even think Rishi held back on how bad he knew it was going to be under Kier Starmer. I’d rather Nigel but I’ll take Rishi back right now if I could.

[@waughy9103]

As a reform supporter I'd take sunak over starmer

[@ursusmaritimus7159]

14 years ago I could see a GP the same day - calling in mid afternoon. Today I can't see one for weeks. What a great job the Tories have done.

[@Lrow095]

That’s a lie and you know it 🤡

[@jpldriver]

I'm 61, and all my life I have never managed to get a GP appointment the same day! I hate the Tories but,due to the way GP surgeries are run,and more and more GP's now work part time are part of that problem. There are times when you can't blame politicians for everything. Use your own mind and don't use the rhetoric of the media.

[@DanielWetherill]

@Lrow095 you don't know what your talking about

[@megaham1552]

@@Lrow095 Have you tried your local one?

[@Blondie-ic3wo]

I have worked in a gp surgery in London for 18 years and you've never been able to get an appointment the same day unless it was an emergency

[@sazzlekaz]

This is painful to try to listen to. Sunak just keeps talking over Starmer and renders this debate pointless.

[@sidarthsubramanian7480]

It was pretty good compared to debates we listen to in America

[@longrolstral]

Starmer should be less submissive, then. He gets talked over now, he'll get walked over when the election is done. He can't handle one man, so how would he handle a whole opposition, lobbying groups and international pressures?

[@freddymercury2259]

tbf, Starmer wasn't exactly giving answers

[@lavienestpasunlongfleuvetr2559]

51% of a You Gov poll thought Sunak did better than Starmer...

[@adityaanand4605]

Sunak quite facts whereas starmer clearly didn't have a plan and was expressing 'hope'.

[@AntnioPucci-uk9vb]

A person ask about stopping the killing in Gaza The moderator change the question to hamas and 7 October What a shame journalism

[@dreambig5965]

Yes...why not ask to leave the hostages? 😂 Its only abt crying abt isreal

[@alanmg5027]

I was so disappointed that Rishi Sunak was allowed to interrupt on numerous occasions by Julie. I never thought ITN/ITV news would be so unfair, to allow one side to dominate a debate. ITV and Julie failed the independent viewer tonight.

[@Imperialbbuilding]

Starmer actually believes a man can become a woman, he doesn't have any common sense

[@joginns778]

Come of it STARMER was lost for words he couldn't give straight answers he wants to build a million new home's and yet all the water companies have told the government by 2050, we're going to have severe water shortages STARMER isn't fit to be prime minister if he gets in number ten tax will go sky high,

[@JAKSK4]

Would you have complained if it were the BBC’s unfairness????

[@pip1723]

Labour 27 % ahead in the polls the Tories have runout of road .

[@pip1723]

@@joginns778 we are already paying sky high taxes and nothing to show for it ....

[@albionenthusiast6893]

Did Starmer answer a single question ?

[@jg00000]

Without being interrupted...no

[@Ngozika-ye9nq]

NOPE

[@smifflarr]

No he didn’t, he’s a snake not to be trusted

[@lcg8220]

He tried, kept getting interrupted by both Sunak and the moderator.

[@Beverleypops]

No!!!

[@Tom-bv1sc]

Awful moderation of the debate. The woman running it should be telling them (politely) to shut the hell up, she seemed afraid to do so. So she shouldn’t be doing it. Have someone up there with a backbone, this was a shambles because rishi Sunak repeatedly shouted over Starmer and she did nothing for 90% of it. His attitude here reminded me of trump in the debates from the last American election.

[@123ucr]

This UK prime minister debate is not far off from the US Presidential debates (e.g., constant interrupting (Rishi Sunak was mostly doing the interrupting), avoiding the questions (Keir Starmer was mostly avoiding the questions in this debate), not enough time to answer the questions (the moderator gave 45 seconds to a minute to answer the questions)). This was a terrible debate by the moderator and the candidates. If this is the best on what the UK has to offer, then the UK is screwed either way.

[@3BK235Y]

When moderators are weak, it is usually a disaster.

[@Endeva09]

I really hope someone from ITV reads through this comments thread. This was the most poorly moderated debate I have ever seen in my life, i'm not a fan of either of them but Sunak just talking over Starmer literally not allowing him to get a word in is actually embarrassing.

[@lcg8220]

This comment section has been botted to hell and back now, Tory election machine in action.

[@lindatucker2906]

It was coming from both of them talking over each other at the same time. Starter did exactly the same thing your saying. I said before it’s cause total confusion -where, there’s confusion,there the ENEMY WILL BE. there the end and listening to two voice. Neither party will win!

[@Phippsta]

Absolutely despicable debate; no time for either of them to properly answer the questions. Sunak constantly yelling/butting in when Starmer was speaking, the host cutting Starmer off mid-way through answering the questions. And yet when Starmer responded in a way Sunak did earlier, the host defended Sunak to the hilt. Shockingly biased broadcasting. So much for Impartiality ITV...

[@glazierblue573]

Its happened. England has gone full American style politics! 😩

[@bardansharma2377]

Clearly Rishi Sunak is the more competent and more knowledgeable. But politics is the last resort of the incompetent.

[@HowdyDo42]

Rishi implied state school families don't work hard enough to pay for it. Remember that.

[@SBanderaB]

is that worse than lying and not answering any questions - he would allow his child to die rather than pay for an operation? really

[@HowdyDo42]

@@SBanderaB yes probably, but that's a matter of opinion- both are bad.

[@chrismccourt4454]

@@SBanderaBif you’ve already accepted that this is even an option given what we all pay into a national health service, you’re beyond repair.

[@richardhowlett4097]

Working families can't afford private health insurance, real workers are not paid their worth. As for workers in the NHS going on strike, if they hadn't been neglected for the last ten years, and had been given decent pay rises, that wouldn't happen. The Tories have ruined this country with their policies that aid the rich and hinder working people. Vote them out.

[@sdas8988]

He is hateful.

[@mhrfuad7791]

I was so disappointed that Rishi Sunak was allowed to interrupt on numerous occasions by Julie

[@user-s1o3nr532]

Sunak was allowed to take charge of the debate and had Starmer on the back foot pretty much the whole time.

[@gangstagamegangstagame4467]

@@user-s1o3nr532Kier was rude he didn’t even look at Sunak while they were debating

[@bryanwood8050]

@@gangstagamegangstagame4467 I'm sorry to disagree, but the answers are supposed to be addressed to the 'chair', in this case the so-called moderator.

[@joescott54]

​@@bryanwood8050Sir-Vix doesn't even dare to look in the mirror...

[@bryanwood8050]

@@joescott54 ?

[@pierceparker]

Starmer looks confused, nerdy and goofy here. He has not rehearsed or prepared for this. On the other hand, PM Sunak appears to be very alert, well prepared, in control, young and energetic. Who knows? The Conservatives might win again after all.

[@khalif1991]

They obviously will win again, Starmer is not a debater.

[@77jamess]

If you think that Sunak appears to be very alert, I don’t know what to tell you. He’s like a cartoon character.

[@Unknown-ov2kz]

Sunak: "The NHS is still recovering from COVID. We went through the best part of two years where the NHS couldn't conduct all the treatments it normally would and it is going to take time to recover from that, but we are now making progress, the waiting lists are now coming down, but what Keir Starmer didn't mention to you which you did Julie..." Starmer: "Hang on. Hang on. The waiting lists were 7.2 million they're now 7.5 million. He says they're coming down and this is the guy who says he's good at maths..." Sunak: "Yeah, yeah, they are now coming down. They are now coming down..." Starmer: "7.2 when you said you would get them down - 7.2 million, they are now 7.5 million. I'd like you to explain how they're coming down." Sunak: "Because they are coming down from where they were when they were higher and they're now on their way down. They are down right, yes because the NHS was impacted by Industrial Action and if it wasn't for that, half a million employment would have been safe." Time stamp: 2:21- 3:04 I'm not saying Starmer looked great at all in that debate, but my gosh, I wouldn't say Sunak looked good either. I think they're just terrible and the more they speak the worse they look.

[@intheplums]

Let them give full answers. No need to americanise it and dumb it down. We need context and adequate answers.

[@fuzzstar7878]

ITV guilty of Allowing Sunak to talk over Starmer but as soon as Starmer tried the same Julie interrupted. It is quite clear that ITV leans towards the right.

[@olaflawrence]

Completely agree, the media is too right wing and not an unbiased body.

[@utredutredson1686]

I genuinely thought the opposite based on this video(I did not watch the live debate)

[@user-ca3sp7er1h]

Spot on

[@boembo6627]

Most media does, and the Right never stop bleating about being cancelled!

[@suez9553]

Sunak just came across like a bully. Entitled, shouting, talking over Starmer. Do ITV - or the programme’s host - have a right-wing bias?

[@SalemGhassanHanna]

Sunak is arrogant, Starmer seems soulless. We're in for a fun five years aren't we?

[@etherspin]

Arrogance if preferable to being a principle free zone or a morphing jellyfish

[@davidpearn2484]

Minus sunak 😂😂😂.

[@SalemGhassanHanna]

@@etherspin The problem with arrogance is it means the wrong decisions get taken with just as much enthusiasm as the right ones. Poll tax happens. Iraq War happens. etc

[@etherspin]

@@SalemGhassanHanna that's a good point.

[@blowaraspberry380]

Vote Reform

[@ALBUMOF2008]

Why is sunak constantly allowed to talk over starmer?????

[@tazmaniandevil_9185]

because starmer talks utter shyte and can never answer a question

[@sarahkorver2439]

​@@tazmaniandevil_9185Both of them talk Shyte! All they care about is themselfs

[@michaelr375]

@@sarahkorver2439 Rishi is so rich you could give him 100m pounds and he wouldn't even care. He's doing this because he genuinely thinks he can help.

[@lcg8220]

​@@michaelr375 Might wanna look up how much money he's made since he got involved in politics and how he made it.

[@smartpower6963]

@@michaelr375 that's laughable, why doesn't he just donate money to charity rather creating policies for the rich then?

[@rabha1754]

Sunak's National Service is a device to stop working class kids going to university. He said there would be very few exemptions. Many students now have to work part time at weekends and evenings to pay their living costs in the absence of grants. How can they get weekend jobs if they have to take every fourth week off to do his National Service? That aside, the structure of the debate was poor and Julie Etchingham's inability to stop Soon-axed from speaking was appalling.

[@Cripinub1]

Not every kid needs to go uni…

[@stuartmelville5684]

im thinking he needs cannon fodder to fight russia in about 3-5 years mabey im just being cynical and to be fair someone needs to protect his cash right ??

[@savirahye]

@@Cripinub1 Thats very true but the option to go should still be as accessible to someone from a working class background as it is to the the wealthier in this country.

[@ThesocialmuteHD]

University is just a brainwashing cult factory anyway

[@andrewcooney2387]

You are correct in what you say about this

[@GGS0507]

Looking back at this debate one month later While I hate Sunak I’m starting to see he has more of an Idra of what he was going to do

[@mattc971]

I want to be objective and reasonable, but the reality is that when Sunak speaks, I get shivers of disgust. He says precisely zero and in a very smug way. Starmer isn't much better, but Sunak actually made my skin crawl. This was not a good debate. Or even a debate. How sad that these are our options.

[@angusshaw8255]

Reform

[@denyscole7382]

VOTE REFORM and end the status quo as Starmer will be every bit as bad as Sunak.

[@RyanDownes000]

@@denyscole7382 Reform are Tories 2.0, there's a reason why ex tories are defecting there. Hell their leader now is Farage. An ex wall street banker who profited millions from Brexit.

[@carolynwilson7736]

That’s funny. I feel that way about Starmer. Rishi came across well

[@agod4779]

That's because he is not white

[@Gamefrags]

Julie Etchingham is an absolute disaster in debate moderation. Even the Speaker of Parliament could handle both of 'em.

[@patrickmccutcheon9361]

Not a great performance as moderator but comparing her with the Speaker of the House of Commons is unfair to her.

[@vishmaster09]

Starmer could have done so much better. He just says my opponent is bad when he's got so much more ammunition. Even the first question he could have talked about rishi's 5 pledges and talked about how most of them haven't been achieved

[@jg00000]

Sunak just interrupts anything he doesn't want the audience to hear.

[@Asphalt9China]

@@jg00000Question: why did starmer hold back from most of Rishi’s questions?

[@markbarter3309]

Julie Etchingham failed miserably - she should have shut Sunucks mike off if he kept talking over Starmer trying to answer the question.

[@chrismccourt4454]

Yes abysmal moderation. Sunak was allowed to ramble on at will

[@suez9553]

Sunak came across like a bully. Who does he think he is shouting all over Keir Starmer and not letting him answer the questions? He needs to learn respect for other people.

[@nnfefe9451]

Why does the moderator allow interruption?

[@CostarPelotheri]

It’s meant to distinguish between an Alpha candidate from a Beta one

[@MrDynamo2000]

Starmer is clueless and only seeking sympathy 😢😢😢😢😢 He can't answer any question, no matter how simple.....he belongs to the courtroom 😮

[@paulinereid5226]

Absolutely disgraceful - it was just a gladiatorial, spectator sport. The moderator WAS awful - she allowed Sunak to continually interrupt, and shout down Starmer, in the same rude way that he did with Liz Truss, 2 years ago, when he was trying to become an unelected tory Prime Minister. He was bullying and domineering. The mics of one person should be swtched OFF, while the other is speaking. And I used to be a Tory voter.

[@worship568]

I feel Sunak was clearer than Keir Starmer

[@misterhazz]

The percentage of inflation may be down, but all the prices are still crazy high. It’s completely wrong to say things are back to normal

[@lukazupie7220]

Thats how it works lol, you would need deflation for prices to come back down.. but nobody does that, instead paychecks go up. But isn't all this due to Brexit and covid anyway? Do you think inflation would be lower with labour government?

[@misterhazz]

@@lukazupie7220 tories put us through a decade of austerity and tripled the national debt. They then blamed inflation on Putin's invasion when it was already hitting 6-8% before Russia invaded. The fact they made one of their goals to reduce inflation was total bullshit as they have no control over making that happen

[@gamewithadam7235]

What happened to the leaders debate where all parties show up?

[@RedBird138]

I believe there is one scheduled this Friday with much more parties attending

[@GA-fz2wt]

Starmer said one thing i agreed with, "Imagine havimg the Tories for another 5 years ,- Its like handing the arsonist back the matches'!

[@Viratkholi18-king]

Sunak is clearly winning the debate but how can moderator allowed one side to dominate and interrupt the othe side

[@yourma2000]

Sorry, are there only two parties in the UK? Where are the others?

[@GA-fz2wt]

They have the most MPs seats. When we vote we have our local town MPs who we vote for ,the majority of the towns votes wins,then they get to keep (or win) their seat in the commons. I think there are approx 650 seats in the house of commons.

[@luketonyford]

it's like the US, only two that really matter and the other parties have little to no influence

[@yourma2000]

@@GA-fz2wt So what?

[@yourma2000]

@@luketonyford You don't think Reform are hammering down the Tory fronts doors right about now?

[@GA-fz2wt]

​I answered the question

[@michaeljudd5384]

Sunak doesn't know what a working class family is let alone what the sacrifices have been.

[@haaaaaay]

Neither does Starmer…

[@barrymcgovern1850]

Stammer said his dad was a tool maker but oh he owns the company not a worker what a waste of space he is

[@Randomguy-kz7sk]

@@haaaaaay He grew up working class and in poverty...

[@Randomguy-kz7sk]

@@barrymcgovern1850 That myth peddled by Ashcroft and the far-left has been debunked several times

[@RyanGoslingthestonecoldsigma]

For the first few years of his life he was middle class. His family became quite successful when he grew slightly older

[@jasvirk6841]

If you would love to admit it or not, Rishi Sunak actually cared for the country. Whether his decisions were valid, now that is questionable.

[@kishwerjehan1313]

RishiSunak ...yes very clear about committing genocide too. He knows to talk . People just get taken in by smooth talkers . Let the new man prove himself . He has not been in power . People are judging by the 45 second answers

[@david1610]

Sunak thinks that if he talks most and loudest he wins. Unfortunately this format is a variation on PMQs. The moderator should be pushing each of them individually rather than letting Sunak just jump around.

[@GeoffV-k1h]

Pretty much everyone I've asked mentioned how poorly moderated this was.

[@creativesource3514]

The junior doctors are asking for pay restoration after a pay freeze after 2008 (austrrity messures). It works out to increasing from £15 an hour to £21 a hour.

[@harrymcdonough]

Shifty Sunak, Kier may be a bit bland but who can believe anything the Tories say

[@nickedwards212]

Well I'd put it like this. I wouldn't trust the Tories with a goldfish.

[@limpethead]

They are both appalling. Vote Reform

[@TheEARofTRUMP]

Imagine thinking there's a difference between them. Let's just keep going round in circles 🤷

[@paulchadwick9419]

@@limpetheadyour voting for the racist party A wasted vote

[@paulchadwick9419]

@@limpetheada wasted vote I would not vote for the racist party who won’t win a seat

[@blee1997]

What's the whole purpose of this debate when Parliament sessions themselves are literally debates.

[@DFandV]

This is the reason an alternative party needs to come to power

[@uploadingcontent]

vote Reform

[@owi3693]

Reform!!

[@B0RNPR02000]

Reform

[@johnwilson1935]

Sunak said ''if hes prime minister he will send people to Rawanda,Stop the boats,and send you child into the army when they are 18'' his kids wont they will be studying in America,

[@sandersp5713]

Well it’s a class system deal with it

[@lenasr5792]

@@sandersp5713 Sorry you're a dalit

[@gauravkumar_b.1067]

People got what they voted for. They should be celebrating now.

[@JackBrown-p6i]

So why aren’t they celebrating?

[@angieogden2308]

You ruined nhs before covid and wasted millions of pounds too

[@stuartmelville5684]

typo .... billions

[@billsavage4775]

It’s actually worse than millions angie it’s Billions and that PPE that’s not fit for use has and is being scrapped and no one says anything let alone does anything

[@ssingh247365]

Hi how is the NHS ruined?

[@misslightgirl]

@@ssingh247365I’m four years waiting for an adhd diagnosis and 3 years into waiting for my wisdom teeth to be removed. I did the pandemic working in a disabled people’s home and those people had their antidepressants and antipsychotics halved because they told us too many people were accessing them. It takes us desperate means sometimes to source appointments for chronic bypassing from catheter from doctors and as above said they equipped us with broken PPE - that risked the health of his healthcare staff and we could barely see out of the visors. The health poverty is just a way to remove a surplus population early

[@rupertgordon9506]

Being asked to vote for either of these two is like being as to select which piece of carrot you'd like to eat from a pile of vomit.

[@bonbiskadafi9423]

The US voters re facing same dilemma 😢😢😢 it's crazy the type of empty heads politicians we ve in last 10yrs 😢

[@GA-fz2wt]

Vote another then

[@brianferguson7840]

For those too young or too stupid to remember. Under the last Labour government, Highest satisfaction in the NHS "Ever". 20,000 more police officers, 32,000 police support staff. 63,000 more nursing staff. Twice as many courts, libraries, police stations. 19,000 more doctors. Average wage 31% higher. 26,000 surestart centers nationally. 2 day waiting time for GP appointments 4 hour A&E waiting time. Lowest child poverty since the war. Lowest homeless numbers since the 80s. Highest living standards since the war. BUT IF YOU DON'T WANT ANY IMPROVEMENT "DONT VOTE FOR THE PARTY THAT EXISTS FOR YOUR BENEFIT"

[@rupertgordon9506]

@@brianferguson7840 all fair points but there's a heck of a lot more people here now than when labour were in power you can't overlook that when considering these numbers.

[@TigrisAlpha]

As a dual US-UK citizen who has lived most of my life in the US, it's kind of funny to see everyone talking about how rude and uncivil they are being... this isn't that bad compared to what we're used to in the colonies

[@starofdabloc]

No one says the colonies. Are you 200 years old?

[@suez9553]

I’ve read the allegations that Rishi Sunak has a temper and throws things at his staff. After tonight, I’m inclined to believe it. He looked like a bully - shouting over Starmer and not letting him answer the questions. He needs to start showing some respect to other people.

[@JohanssonDesign]

Poor format (45 seconds for complex issues) and a lack of moderation has meant no real meaningful debate has take place... every time Starmer wanted to interject, he was not allowed (or prevented), and Sunak got off completely free as he was able to push his narrative when ever he liked.

[@thisismetoday]

6:08 NO, RISHI, *YOU* EXPLAIN TO PEOPLE HOW WE EFFING GOT TO THIS POINT IN THE FIRST PLACE. That’s what his response should have been!!

[@FITZY1995]

Things really are poor for younger people these days. Imagine you can't get a job, can't get a house , can't afford to go to uni and now you're working for free for a year when you could be trying to save up so you don't have to pay £1500 a month just to rent a flat each month.

[@johnmccann5104]

On what I saw last night neither of them is fit to run a bath let alone a country 🇬🇧😉

[@shivathealmighty]

That is true all over the world. Older generations have enjoyed the cream, destroyed resources and the burden has been transferred to the younger generation..

[@ThePlaiibox]

They're both terrible. Our system is an embarrassment if these two are the best we can muster.

[@tahmagicz]

It’s why we need ranked voting

[@nirvanafan500]

Broke system and reform needs votes to change the way our politics works. Seats to amount of votes is a joke

[@N0R3M4C]

Why we need Corbyn

[@ThePlaiibox]

@N0R3M4C ha ha, I dont think communism is the answer buddy, making everyone equally poor helps no one but the state.

[@N0R3M4C]

@@ThePlaiibox Talk to me when you’ve realised the pension, NHS, public schooling, tax subsidies etc are all what you define as communism. Communism is just a dirty word used to slander any progressive policies and politicians they don’t like.

[@akmyths2391]

I am really surprised that Starmer did not continuously take advantage of Sunaks military service plan, and asked him strong questions about it. Especially since Sunak was doing the equivalence to it. Would have been a laugh for a long while.

[@diesel92kj1]

The UK has some of the highest taxes in the world collectively.

[@markstar6056]

The host was useless at controlling Rishi Sunak’s constant interruptions when Kier Starmer was talking. Rishi acts like a spoiled brat, I’m sure he’s use to getting his way and talking down to people. He loves the sound of his own voice.

[@MrKoiking1]

This is embarrassing for both of them. And for ITV.

[@Right_is_Wrong]

From the little I've seen it appears that Sunak did nothing other than lie, say "I've got a plan" and shout as loud as he could while Starmer was speaking. The look on Starmer's face at times was like that of a parent listening to a 14 year old having a tantrum.

[@wtfboom4585]

Same thing boris did, just lie about having an oven ready brexit plan and hope people have a 2 week memory when it turns out you have nothing. Basically the tory playbook to just full on lie about whatever you need in the moment

[@Nickel1147]

Actually, the look i saw on Starmer's face was blind panic

[@LucaGibson-r1d]

Disastrous moderating on show here; a horrible showing of bias from ITV. Kier landed a few blows but realistically it was a bunch of waffling hogwash. Kiers prosecution of the torries was decent but his explanation of his responsive policy was weak. Julie repeatedly asked leading questions to throw off kier and his policies to make the torries look better. Sunak behaved like a petulant child.

[@jacobreal6451]

Let us pray that Keir Starmer doesnt become PM

[@jasvirk6841]

and it has happened. I will cry if he puts up taxes again I will cry

[@123rocker0071987]

oh yes but its not the man but the policies which will make difference

[@annabelkirk7447]

Starmer could not answer one simple question, just kept going back to this is what rishi has done! This man cannot lead this country

[@johnmccann5104]

He was practicing for when he has to do PMQ's 😉🇬🇧

[@markandrews5401]

The thought of smug sunak. For another 5 years 😢😢 😮

[@JorgeF69]

The worrying thing is majority of the country are all for it because they believe sunak is gonna fix the issues the tories have bought to the country with 5 more years of Tories lmaooo god help us all

[@nimzgaz7049]

True but todays debate, Kier answers didn’t do it for me.

[@sdas8988]

It’s tragic. How can the government who have caused ALL of our problems… be the ones to fix them? The Conservatives will simply crush this country further and further into the ground.

[@JorgeF69]

@@nimzgaz7049 and rishis did? Have some shame he didn't answer a single question correctly and showed he doesn't know basic math. God help us all you want to back rishi after everything his party has put the country through. He's made billonares exempt from paying taxes and created more offshore loops for the rich to get out of paying taxes not to mention he believes private healthcare is necessary meanwhile 3% of this country can afford to pay for it. I don't like stahmer either but i can't be one of those who idoly standby and vote the tories in

[@louielylit9550]

Starmer can you please face the questions and answer them properly, perhaps with real ideas and policies rather than BS?

[@PaulMartin-eg5ik]

What a load of waffle and bollocks! None of them do what they say they will do. Can you imagine if we behaved like that at work? We’d get the sack!!! We have no one fit for office.

[@Payne2view]

Keir Starmer again with his "My father was a toolmaker" catchphrase. His father owned a toolmaking factory didn't he? He also didn't give a straight answer to the question of what he would do with illegal immigrants because "Let them stay and give them all they want" isn't the answer that will get votes. Easier to avoid the question and point back to Sunak.

[@olaflawrence]

Labour is going to win 🌹

[@DylanSargesson]

A recent poll actually showed that only 11% of people knew about his dad being a toolmaker so he will continue saying it, now and long into his premiership

[@LordSpuggy]

Funny that it’s very easy to google what Labour’s policy is: Setting up a cross-border policing unit and deepening collaboration with other European countries to share border intelligence. Reform resettlement routes so that crossing on a boat isn’t only viable option. End hotel use, clear the Tory asylum backlog, and speed up returns to safe countries, with more caseworkers and a new Returns and Enforcement Unit. New agreements with France and other countries on returns and family reunion. … Rwanda is a complete gimmick and the amount of people it would actually move is minuscule. So your choice is either a mean spirited ineffective Tory plan, or a Labour plan that might actually work.

[@50brian50]

Brain washed about immigration we had immigration for years think about other things that have happened over the last 14 years

[@olaflawrence]

@@DylanSargesson so what?

[@joe.whiting02]

I don’t like that they only got two party leaders on. Why not add in the leaders of Green, Lib Dem and Reform UK?

[@gerryboland2902]

Tories get asked questions and they ask their opponents a question ????? Rude and aggressive Sunak get him gone

[@williamaherne1797]

This debate is so badly mediated. If these two are the options then Britain is in big trouble.

[@fnl6057]

I attempted to watch this live but had to stop as I could not stand watching Rishi Sunak shouting over Kier Starmer . This was disgraceful. Could they not have muted his mic! Also the cheek of Rishi Sunak to say answer the question when he barely answers questions properly at prime minister's questions. This was not really a debate, and the format needs to be looked at. Both of them got quite personal which was disappointing to see.

[@WilliamjameswestWEST]

WHERE CAN I GET A DENTIST?

[@trevorsomers8344]

Google it!

[@julianaylor4351]

There are local online lists, but I couldn't tell if they are taking new patients, you would have to phone round. My dentist has retired and the practice is now private, so I will have to do that too. Good luck, we both need it. ❤

[@mattc971]

You can vote Tory and they will happily kick you in the teeth again?

[@WilliamjameswestWEST]

Thank you

[@gamingtomato1137]

Honestly if either one of them can get me a dentist or gp appointment I’m in. Bar really is not high.

[@mhofumuhera6560]

Sunak if he wants our vote he must understand what is communication. Give each other time to speak and stop bullying. He was talking while that's not his time.

[@suez9553]

Sunak really did behave like a bully tonight. Who does he think he is shouting over Keir Starmer and not letting him answer? He needs to learn respect for other people.

[@evansclan4eva49]

Who wants Sunak back? Doesn’t look so bad now, does he?

[@waughy9103]

He won this debate

[@brucestening7964]

Appallingly poor format and moderation.

[@missparkchimmy95]

The whole thing is just ridiculous, it's like listening to 2 5 yeah olds at a playground... 😠

[@thisismetoday]

6:15 She never lets Starmer talk, although Rishi keeps interrupting. Starmer should have called her out on that. 6:41 It ain’t both of them, lady. You’re doing a terrible job moderating!!

[@CptDadman]

the moderator isn't great

[@MyVincenzo22]

He doesn’t care cause he’s a billionaire ticking off a wish list!. Sunak having the cheek to talk about pay🙄 We have a prime minister who can’t even meet the height requirements for a rollercoaster ride!

[@BLACKSTA361]

We complained about Sunak and Southgate just to be hit with Starmer and Carsley No matter how bad the situation it can always get worse

[@F324.]

I’m sorry but 1 thing I want to ask Sunak is why are we giving billions and billions to Ukraine and other countries while our own country is literally in the mud when that same money could literally give the nhs a massive boost

[@davidsutherland2572]

Yeah actually it would be to say we're sorry as at present there's loads of people in the UK merit the help that horrible stuff is happening to them. It's all so they look like the great hero

[@DanielWetherill]

Vote reform then they will be against it

[@DanielWetherill]

Itv deleting comments😂

[@fiona2617]

The cost of Russia winning in Ukraine would be very much higher

[@DanielWetherill]

@fiona2617 who's says U.K media ? Get some brain cells back in your head

[@rjmusicltd]

I am a labour supporter however, if stamer and his team get in office, it would be the worst thing to happen to the uk. After covid and with conflicts on the horizon, we need experienced and seasoned politicians in office. Stamer just appears to be petty and all his finger pointing and ridicule will not solve our problems. Stamer does not give realistic plans or solutions. Our labour party now is just woke playground politics.

[@graemehancocks4171]

You are not a Labour supporter. You are a tory pretending to be Labour. No Labour supporter would write this, pull the other one.

[@sdas8988]

The “finger pointing” is deserved. Our country - from economic growth, to NHS waiting lists, record child poverty, the cost of living crisis, unaffordable energy bills, and sewage-filled water - is being systematically destroyed by the Tories. Do you think people can survive another five years of this?

[@suez9553]

@sdas8988 I agree. I actually think it’s unfair that Labour have to clean up this mess! They didn’t cause it!! 😡

[@lordbengali]

What’s woke about Labour😂 the left literally despises the current Labour Party. It’s ironically highly in favour of the centre right and right leaning parties. And that’s because the current conservatives have no definite political ideology.

[@benardadhinga8714]

No chance beating Rishi Sunak in any debate. The problem is that the country has made a choice. If conservatives unite behind this excellent CEO Labour has no chance.

[@AP-sk9mk]

Keirs starmer cannot answer a question directly he has no plan at all!

[@alessandrocarbo]

Sunak only interrupts!

[@infernogamers168]

With facts?

[@HyperIndian]

True but how on earth is Starmer better? He got demolished by Rishi. No plan. Very shaky and can't even debate