Sky News Leaders "debate" discussion thread 🧵

That's it. All over.

Softball questions to Sunak from Beth that he didn't say much on but harder questions from the audience.

Honestly undecided on who came out better. Not much to pick from. Both were equally bland.

Will this persuade anyone? I doubt it.

I'm not watching it but I bet you a tenner I could live post it and no one could tell I wasn't.

I'm only watching so that the wife doesn't stick on East Enders on the iPlayer.

Question 4 to Starmer: Are you boring?

A pretty decent answer I think regarding his passion to do good for the country. Nothing we haven't heard before so not sure who it would sway. But good answer nonetheless, I think.

Question 2 to Starmer: Why aren't you taxing more?

Starmer: We haven't planned any tax rises.

Beth: That, audience, is political BS.

🤣
Beth calling him out on not answering the question. He seems to be openly dodging the difficult questions.
A small reprieve with a joke about the Tory tax record drawing a boisterous clap from the audience.
Tough question about Capital Gains Tax. Starmer denying that he'll raise it. Going for the shy Tory votes.

So far Beth's winning 😅

My dad was a toolmaker!

DRINK!

Audience questions time for Starmer. He must be delighted as I doubt he thought it would be that tough with the questions from Beth.

Final question is basically a catch all question.

How will you improve: the economy, Brexit, young people's lives, housing, the NHS, immigration.

😂
- My lord, look at the neck on that audience member. Is he a secret Cardassian or something?
Dentist waiting lists up next.

I wonder if he'll tax private dentist in the same way that he's taxing private education?
- They're already up. My girlfriends filing fell out but they can't see her until September
How will Labour pay Junior Doctors more money? Tough question given what his shadow health secretary has said previously.
- Completely dodged the question and now getting called out by the audience member that asked the question.
  
  Shit shit shit... back on track Keir baby. Back on track!
Would you reconsider taxing private education? This looks to be Labour's most controversial policy for undecided voters.

Actual respect for him sticking to the principles here. He should do this on all the questions not just this one.

Starmer: I feel for you but improve the state education system fam.
The first question about how is he going to improve Grimsby is answered, basically, like a Tory.

Create the conditions for business to thrive. Devolve the decision making to locals.
- Lady in the audience clearly delighted that pot holes are going to get sorted.
  
  Ay oop, fookin' fiiinally!
Audience member: You're a fucking robot you cunt!

Starmer: systems failure crashing contact support shutting down
- He seems to stumble at these curve ball questions at first but after a bit of rambling comes up with a likeable enough answer.
  
  Although having said that the audience member still eviscerated him.

Question 3 to Starmer: Child benefits

Beth asks why aren't you doing child benefits given you can tax high earners? So tax them.

Starmer replies that there hard decisions to make and he doesn't want to lie to the public.

Odd way to answer the question.

Question 1 to Starmer: Why U sing 🎶 Oh Jeremy Corbyn 🎶 and not mean it? How can we trust you?

Man, I hate that we're still having to deal with this Corbyn bullshit. Is she going to ask Sunak why he campaigned for Boris Johnson, known liar, to be Prime Minister, then served in his Cabinet?
- He should get asked!
He seems to be taken a bit off guard with this question. Already getting heckled and it's only been seven minutes.

Question 5 to Sunak: A more specific question on Immigration.

Beth explaining to Rishi that Brexit has actually brought more immigrants than being in the EU.
- Audience gasps.
Beth: The Tories have failed ok immigration why should we trust you?

Sunak continues to defend a different record to reality.

Question 7 to Sunak: What happened to Dishy Rishi?

Sunak: Hahaha I'm so unhealthy.

Genuinely what he replied with.

Question 2 to Sunak: Are you an unpatriotic bastard?

(Surprised she's moved on so quickly but I like this question)

What's this soft ball questions and answers? She should have grilled him more ok this instead of letting him off lightly.

Question 1 to Sunak: You're shit and you know you are. What's happening, lad?

A polished answer but not really anything was said. Is he a politician by any chance?

Audience questions for Rishi.

His responses to Beth were, as usual, saying nothing. I was not impressed. But to be honest I think he's given up by now. Just get him out of there!

A heckler shouts at Rishi:

Why shouldn't we vote for Reform?

Sunak replies that a vote for Reform is a vote for Labour. He's also visibly sicked in his mouth. Why do I have HD on this channel?
How can Sunak restore the NHS? Expecting him to tell us about his mother again.
- DRINK!
- Audience questioner not pulling his punches. Tough question. And another heckler from the other side of the room.
  
  Again, to be fair, he's not ducking these questions and at least wants to respond.
- As much shit as he gets about the NHS, rightly so, I do think the workforce plan is at least a good outcome that was sorely implemented too late but at least it is being implemented.
A youth asks him now about National Service. Is this going to be Sunak's principles moment. Doesn't look like it.
- A follow on about criminalising people that don't agree with National Service.
  
  Rishi says "No". But then also said there are countries that have appropriate sanctions. 🧐
Next question is on how would he rebuild trust in the police.

Audience shaking his head whilst asking about police numbers. The original questioner pushing him to accept that the police are institutionally racist. He doesn't.
A question on young people's mortgage outlook.

Audience member laying Liz Truss' failures directly onto Sunak here.
- A rare strong answer from Sunak here. Who knows of these new mortgage help to buy policies are actually doable in the next government but a good response o thought. Aspirational.
A life long self described "True Blue" now tearing him a new arsehole about the D day gaff.

Sunak: All I can say is I tried. Now forgive me.

He's clearly war gamed this question to death with his team. He's not getting thrown... yet.
- Ooo I don't think he was expecting ol' Lizzie 2 to be brought up.

Question 4 to Sunak: Explain your pledges, do you think you've hit them?

Audience heckler here shouting something about inflation and now he's getting argumentative regarding the debt pledge. Audience laughs. Everyone smiles thinking he's a twat. Sunak gets pretty hett up about this one. Combative but keeps it together.

Now the fourth pledge about waiting lists has drawn an audible boo from the crowd. Beth gives him an option to move on but he wants to fight. Bad move Rishi. More booing from the audience.

On the immigration pledge Sunak blames the Vietnamese for the influx. Gets a small clap from "stop the boats" catch phrase. Beth replies with why he called an election before the Rwanda deal can be seen to work. Sunak now in full rambling mode.

Question 6 to Sunak: Tax are rising under the Conservstives

Sunak is bewildered by the question. Who knows who's analysis is correct but he's not coming across well here.

I thought Starmer did well. A little better than last week. But seemed to slip up a bit on the tough policies that aren't old skool Labour. I also don't think he was expecting Beth to go so hard on him.

Question 3 to Sunak: The Tory track record is crap. Are you proud of it?

I'm struck by how he's not looking at the audience. Deathly stare towards Beth, but only glances at the audience.

More politically safe answers. I don't feel I have learned anything new here.