The new leader of the Conservative Party and the new Prime Minister of Great Britain will be determined after a membership vote, on September 5 at the latest. Before then, there will be heated arguments.
15:07•Updated 15:07
The British prime ministerial race started in earnest on Monday with the first TV debate on a special BBC broadcast.
Britain’s former Chancellor of the Exchequer With Rishi Sunak and Foreign Minister With Liz Truss has a difficult task ahead of him, when around 170,000 conservatives have to be convinced of their own suitability to be the new prime minister.
The tone of the argument was prickly from time to time, but in the English way, the parties spoke respectfully and remembered to show admiration for each other.
Still, the argument was not lacking in the presentation of dirty laundry.
For example, the price of Sunaki’s suit was discussed during the argument.
Supporter of Truss and Minister of Digital, Culture, Media and Sports Nadine Dorries had written before On Twitter (you will switch to another service)that Sunak’s suit jacket cost 3,500 pounds, or about 4,000 euros, and Prada slippers almost 500 euros.
– I have to admit that I have deleted Twitter from my phone. I don’t care how expensive other people’s clothes are. In fact, I think Rishi dresses with sophistication, Truss commented in a diplomatic tone.
Despite the polite demeanor, it was a thorn in Sunak’s direction. Namely, Truss’s earrings, which were also discussed earlier during the debate, cost £4.50, i.e. five euros.
The main issue of the debate: Anti-candidate views on economic policy
The rising cost of living haunts Britain. In addition to inflation, the British economy is weighed down by expenses caused by the coronavirus.
Truss would be willing to introduce tax cuts and a government loan and temporarily abandon the green transition in order to curb the continued increase in the cost of living.
According to Sunak, Truss’s plan would drive “millions of people into misery” and cost the Conservatives the next election.
Truss tried to clarify in the debate that, according to the plans, Britain would start paying off its debt after three years, but Sunak interrupted him.
According to Sunak, as a result of the Truss tax reduction, a 40 billion pound dent would be created in the economy, and future generations would have to pay the loan.
Sunak hinted that the policies pursued by Truss are not in line with conservative values and are simply irresponsible.
– Rishi, that’s not true, Truss interrupted.
Later in the evening, Truss’s supporters were shocked by the tone of the conversation. Sunak’s style of speaking was labeled as “manly”, says the British boulevard magazine Mirror (you switch to another service).
Sunak’s supporters denied this.
Brexit views are used to measure the conservativeness of the candidates
The Conservatives’ obsession with Brexit and the difficult relationship with the EU have colored the party’s politics for years.
Brexit views were also discussed in Monday’s debate. Sunak remembered to bring up Truss’ recent views on Brexit.
Truss was against Brexit at the time, but later changed his mind. Sunak, on the other hand, campaigned for Brexit already in 2016.
– Maybe I learned something from it, Truss defended himself in the argument.
Truss, on the other hand, used the familiar Brexit-era rhetoric against Sunak. According to Truss, Sunak’s policy is exaggerated and based on intimidation.
From time to time, the Brexit debate in Britain boils down to the discussion about the Dover and Folkestone border stations. The debate also talked about the miserable side of leaving the EU, i.e. the truck queues at the Dover border station and the summer travel chaos.
Last week, thousands of vacationers had to wait for hours to cross the border on their way to France.
In the BBC debate, both candidates assured that leaving the EU has nothing to do with the Dover travel chaos.
In foreign policy, China was at odds
The candidates for the prime ministerial race have been expected to continue Britain’s current foreign policy line. However, many things have changed in the world since Boris Johnson became prime minister in 2019.
International politics is in turmoil as Russia wages war in Ukraine and China tightens its grip on Taiwan and Hong Kong. In addition, the smoldering energy crisis puts international relations in a new position.
Sunak remembered to mention that China’s economic supremacy is also a security threat. Foreign Minister Truss, in Sunak’s opinion, has himself been clearing the way for China with his policy of sympathizing with Beijing.
Truss replied that lessons must be learned from the energy crisis caused by Russia and efforts must be made to get rid of dependence on China.
Neither took a position on what breaking away from the world’s second largest economy would mean for Britain in practice.
On the other hand, the candidates in the prime minister’s race had a clear view of Ukraine. Both stood behind the government’s current policy: military involvement in the war in Ukraine is an excluded option.
The anti-climate of the debate: Climate change
Neither candidate offered concrete political solutions to combat the climate crisis. Both emphasized the individual’s own choices and the importance of innovations.
Sunak said that the climate crisis will be solved by increasing energy use and recycling. According to Trussi, the solution is to reduce consumption and food waste. Truss did not find it credible that ordinary households would aim for carbon neutrality.