Voters voice 'another Margaret Thatcher' fears ahead of Eastbourne Tory hustings

Hours before tonight's Tory leadership hustings got underway in Eastbourne, voters in the sundrenched resort had their say on the battle for No10.

Denise Tokeley, 69, a carer, said: “That Rishi, he has got that much money he doesn’t understand about proper people - I don’t think he understands how ordinary people live.

“He’s really rich - does he really understand how pensioners, disabled pensioners, are living? The cost of electric? Because he hasn’t got to think about it.

“Rishi doesn’t live in our world.

“Him and Liz Truss say they are going to give us this, that and the other, but it doesn’t mean anything to them.”

Annette Rose said she wouldn't vote for Mr Sunak after he 'stabbed the Prime Minister in the back' (Tim Merry)

Barbara Faversham said she would have preferred Boris Johnson to stay (Tim Merry)

Her husband Michael Tokeley, 72, a retired factory press setter, said: “I can’t pick between the two of them but I’m a bit worried about having another Tory woman again, another Margaret Thatcher.

“I hated the sight of that woman and I’m frightened of the same thing happening again.”

Adrian Engwell, 37, a former paratrooper, said: “I just think they’re all liars.

“I’m ex-military and I don’t believe a word that comes out of their mouths.

“I gave up on following it all a long time ago. I want people who I can respect.”

Adrian Engwell 37, and Stacey Fay, 34, were unimpressed with the candidates (Tim Merry)

Mark Faversham said neither candidate are 'ideal' (Tim Merry)

Annette Rose, 75, a retired shop manager, said: “I still think it should be Boris.

“I liked him, he did so much and he came into it at the time when everything was going on - Brexit, Covid.

“I liked Rishi until he helped get rid of Boris by stabbing him in the back.

“I wouldn’t vote for him now.”

Mark Faversham, 45, a carer, said: “I don’t think either of them are ideal.

Voters said they weren't impressed by the final two candidates (PA)

“Sunak is too close to Boris and his administration and I just don’t trust Liz Truss because of her history of U-turns and infidelity.”

Barbara Faversham, 78, a retired teacher, said: “I vote Conservative but I don’t know which one I would vote for.

“I liked Boris - all right he made a few mistakes but don’t we all?

“I would much prefer him to stay. He has made his apologies and look how he has been, going out to Ukraine.

“Neither Rishi Sunak or Liz Truss has any charisma. You need charisma, that’s why Tony Blair stayed so long.”

Stacey Fay, 34, a support worker, said: “I want somebody who doesn’t go back on their word.

“We should have a say on who the next Prime Minister is, but nothing really changes anyway.”