Evening summary
Sky leaders special - verdict from commentariat on X
And here is more analysis of who did best from journalists and political commentators. Generally they think Keir Starmer had the happier evening.
From the FT’s Lucy Fisher
First time this campaign that Starmer has been properly quizzed on his past support for Corbyn; u-turns on his leadership pledges; and the various tax rises he isn't ruling out
— Lucy Fisher (@LOS_Fisher) June 12, 2024
What a breath of fresh air this format is... & Beth Rigby is absolutely on fire - forensic and…
First time this campaign that Starmer has been properly quizzed on his past support for Corbyn; u-turns on his leadership pledges; and the various tax rises he isn’t ruling out What a breath of fresh air this format is... & Beth Rigby is absolutely on fire - forensic and focussed
Far from easy evening for Sunak either, as he was challenged on broken promises, the breakdown of trust in his leadership after partygate, D-Day error & more... PM looked deflated as he faced a tough audience
From Lewis Goodall from the News Agents podcast
Points of jeopardy for both leaders. Sunak still seems defeated. Starmer was bruised but kept the ming vase intact. But there were reminders of what could be frailties to come for him. He (like Sunak) can be deeply rigid. That'll be a problem for him when times are less good.
— Lewis Goodall (@lewis_goodall) June 12, 2024
Points of jeopardy for both leaders. Sunak still seems defeated. Starmer was bruised but kept the ming vase intact. But there were reminders of what could be frailties to come for him. He (like Sunak) can be deeply rigid. That’ll be a problem for him when times are less good.
From Kate McCann from Times Radio
So where are we at the end of that? Sunak came across as flat and defensive, Starmer was flat-footed at times but clearly more support in the room for him. Most revealing sense at the end of that was audience has priced in a Tory loss. They may not be thoroughly convinced by…
— Kate McCann (@KateEMcCann) June 12, 2024
So where are we at the end of that? Sunak came across as flat and defensive, Starmer was flat-footed at times but clearly more support in the room for him. Most revealing sense at the end of that was audience has priced in a Tory loss. They may not be thoroughly convinced by Starmer but they’ve largely stopped listening to Sunak and it felt like he knew that too.
From Harry Cole from the Sun
LIVE BLOG:
— Harry Cole (@MrHarryCole) June 12, 2024
No knock out blows for either leader, but plenty of punches landed by the crowd and the presenter.
Starmer did better than BBC outing, but Sunak desperately needs to perk up despite his rough few days.
Easily the TV event of the campaign, so far... But not the last…
No knock out blows for either leader, but plenty of punches landed by the crowd and the presenter.
Starmer did better than BBC outing, but Sunak desperately needs to perk up despite his rough few days.
Easily the TV event of the campaign, so far... But not the last time these two will be grilled.
From Kitty Donaldson from the i
My snap verdict on the leader's debate:
— Kitty Donaldson (@kitty_donaldson) June 12, 2024
Starmer did struggle, but Sunak looked hangdog. Contempt for the political class shone through the audience reactionshttps://t.co/8cWLfNhiV1
My snap verdict on the leader’s debate:
Starmer did struggle, but Sunak looked hangdog. Contempt for the political class shone through the audience reactions
From Darren McCaffrey from Sky
🗳️#BattleForNo10
— Darren McCaffrey (@darrenmccaffrey) June 12, 2024
Most uncomfortable part overall was Starmer on Corbyn, he really had no answer. For the PM, his continual expression of frustration with tax, migration and NHS doesn’t really work when you are the PM
Both did much better with audience Q+A
Most uncomfortable part overall was Starmer on Corbyn, he really had no answer. For the PM, his continual expression of frustration with tax, migration and NHS doesn’t really work when you are the PM
Both did much better with audience Q+A
Overall I think it was a score draw for both, again this is not good for Sunak as he really needs to win these things to move public open The audience though were great, properly engaged and ballsy
From David Maddox from the Independent
Sunak is much better on detail than Starmer. He is keeping his calm against a hostile audience. His answers to the audience members actually engage with their concerns.
— David Maddox (@DavidPBMaddox) June 12, 2024
Sunak is much better on detail than Starmer. He is keeping his calm against a hostile audience. His answers to the audience members actually engage with their concerns
From Adam Bienkov from Byline Times
Rishi Sunak looked tonight like a man who was desperate to be literally anywhere else but fighting an election campaign pic.twitter.com/ih2ijaeiEx
— Adam Bienkov (@AdamBienkov) June 12, 2024
Rishi Sunak looked tonight like a man who was desperate to be literally anywhere else but fighting an election campaign
From Matthew d’Ancona from the New European
Rishi Sunak is a suboptimal advert for AI
— Matthew d'Ancona (@MatthewdAncona) June 12, 2024
Rishi Sunak is a suboptimal advert for AI
From the writer and broadcaster Steve Richards
Rishi Sunak has kept going in recent months in spite of traumatic setbacks..he looks crushed tonight.
— steve richards (@steverichards14) June 12, 2024
Rishi Sunak has kept going in recent months in spite of traumatic setbacks..he looks crushed tonight.
From the writer Robert Harris
Beth Rigby proving by far the best interviewer in this election campaign. Far sharper than the party leaders. Pity she isn’t on the ballot paper.
— Robert Harris (@Robert___Harris) June 12, 2024
Beth Rigby proving by far the best interviewer in this election campaign. Far sharper than the party leaders. Pity she isn’t on the ballot paper.
From Sophia Sleigh from the Sun on Sunday
Winner of this debate has to be the audience. Taking no prisoners. 💥🥊
— Sophia Sleigh (@SophiaSleigh) June 12, 2024
Polite heckling, interrupting, cynical. Love to see it.
Winner of this debate has to be the audience. Taking no prisoners. 💥🥊
Polite heckling, interrupting, cynical. Love to see it.
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