Last night’s big BBC debate between Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak was an opportunity for viewers, the majority of whom will not have a say in the outcome, to learn more about their next Prime Minister. In which case, many would have come away with only a partial understanding of what a Truss or Sunak premiership would deliver.
The first portion of the evening was dedicated to an important disagreement on spending, with Sunak arguing for fiscal conservatism to combat inflation and Truss for tax cuts to boost the economy, indicating a significant ideological choice to be made.
However, little was learned about how the candidates would act on public services, in particular the National Health Service. The number of people waiting to start treatment in England is at a record high. It stands at more than 6.6 million, and that figure is set to rise.
Meanwhile, an excoriating report from the cross-party Health and Social Care Select Committee has found the NHS faces “the greatest workforce crisis”, putting patients at “serious risk” and without a credible plan to improve conditions.
We also garnered little about the candidates’ plans to ensure the UK reaches net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, nor how they intend to repair the most damaging parts of the Brexit deal, with both refusing to admit that queues at Dover had anything to do with our exit from the EU.
It is not possible to cover all aspects of government within the confines of a 60-minute debate. But the next Prime Minister faces the greatest first-day in-tray of perhaps any in recent times. The public is entitled to hear more about their concrete plans.
Plug It In for net zero
Electric vehicles have a leading role to play as part of our transition to net zero, not least because, according to David Metz, a “guru” in understanding how we travel, people remain unconvinced to switch to walking or cycling.
But for that to happen, we need a revolution in charging capacity. That means rolling out tens of thousands of additional charging points over the next few years. And not only in inner London but across the capital.
That will require a holistic approach, with local authorities, national government and car manufacturers working together to make it happen. It is why the Standard has launched the Plug It In campaign, where the goal is no less ambitious than to transform our city and how we get around it.
Londoners want to make the right decision, not only for the environment but for their bottom line. The prize on offer is a massive one — a cleaner, greener and more breathable city for each and every one of us.
Big test for Lionesses
In EURO 2022, England have demonstrated they can win by blowing opponents away and by coming from behind. Now they face their biggest test so far — Sweden, ranked number two in the world.
The Lionesses are used to making the knockout stages — tonight is their fourth successive major semi-final. But reaching the final, at Wembley, would represent a giant leap forward. Come on, England, the nation is behind you.
