General Election LIVE: Sunak and Starmer go head to head in first TV election debate
Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer traded blows on the economy, immigration and the NHS as they faced off in the first TV debate of the 2024 election campaign.
The Prime Minister entered the ITV debate as a significant underdog after the campaign’s biggest polls yet pointed to a Conservative wipeout on July 4.
But a snap poll straight after the hour-long debate finished fell narrowly in favour of the Prime Minister.
YouGov polling shows 51 per cent of people thought Mr Sunak performed best overall in tonight's live debate, with 49 per cent voting for Sir Keir.
Crowds had laughed at the Prime Minister when he claimed that NHS “waiting lists are coming down” and Sir Keir warned re-electing the Tories would be like seeing "the arsonists handed back the matches".
The Prime Minister regularly claimed that the Labour leader planned to hike up taxes, before wrapping up by saying Sir Keir was asking for a “blank cheque”.
Mr Sunak was dealt a double hammer blow on Monday as a new poll showed Labour storming to a historic General Election win bigger than Tony Blair’s minutes after Reform leader Nigel Farage announced he would try for the eighth time to become an MP.
The ex-Ukip leader was welcomed back to frontline politics with a splash as he was coated in a McDonald’s milkshake while launching his campaign in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, on Tuesday.
For the latest updates scroll down.
Live coverage ends
23:36 , Jacob Phillips
The Evening Standard’s live blog following the first TV debate between Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer has ended.
Read all the latest political stories from the Standard here.
Richard Tice 'delighted' to see Nigel Farage dethrone him as Reform UK leader
23:27 , Jacob Phillips
Richard Tice has told ITV he is "delighted" to see Nigel Farage dethrone him as the leader of Reform UK.
Speaking to the broadcaster, the politician, who was replaced as leader of the right-wing party on Monday said: "I've been talking to Nigel about our plans for months, and we know we're doing well, but we want to put turbo boosters, rocket boosters onto our campaign, and that's what we've done. I'm delighted that Nigel has agreed both to stand, to lead the party, and off we go."
Mr Tice also said he would be happy to see Mr Farage go to the United States to help Donald Trump run for president, even if he was elected as an MP.
Mr Tice said his party would freeze lawful immigration with the exception of healthcare and put an end to net zero.
He said: "The reason no one agrees with me from the establishment is because they don't want to talk about it, they don't want to admit it. We're the only country that is obsessed with net zero and it's killing our jobs."
Farage launched his campaign to become MP for Clacton-on-Sea, in Essex, on Tuesday.
Just moments after he left a pub after speaking to reporters the former Ukip leader had a McDonald’s milkshake splattered on him.
A 25-year-old woman has been arrested, Essex Police said.
Lib Dems 'focusing on defeating Conservative MPs this election'
23:21 , Jacob Phillips
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said he would like to raise the salary level at which people start paying tax, but added "the money isn't there to do that".
Speaking to ITV, he said: "We would like to, but you're right, and other people like the IFS are right, the money isn't there to do that."
He added: "When we publish our manifesto you will see that actually raising that is a priority when public finances allow."
Sir Ed said he was "focusing on defeating Conservative MPs this election, I hope to beat the Labour MP in Sheffield Hallam actually, and some SNPs MPs".
In a nod to the stunts he and his party have pulled during the election campaign so far, Sir Ed said: "Politicians should be serious about voters concerns... but I don't think politicians should take themselves too seriously, I think people want to know their politicians are real people, with real life experience."
Asked if tuition fees should be scrapped, Sir Ed said "no".
'They've got nothing left in their locker' says Jonathan Ashworth
23:12 , Jacob Phillips
Jonathan Ashworth accused the Prime Minister of "lying" as he responded to a snap YouGov poll that suggested 51% of people thought Rishi Sunak outperformed Sir Keir Starmer in Tuesday's debate.
The shadow paymaster general told the PA news agency: "There will be lots of opinion polls in the election campaign and the only poll that matters is election day.
"But we are pleased tonight. We think Keir leaves, and the Labour Party leaves, Manchester stronger than when we arrived because Keir tonight talked about our plan for the National Health Service, he talked about our plan to cut energy bills for good, to create good, well-paid jobs.
"He talked about our plan to give every child the best start with more teachers in our schools.
"And actually, all we saw tonight was a desperate, chaotic response from Rishi Sunak lying - lying about Labour's plans because they know they've got nothing left in their locker."
Sunak left Starmer 'flat on the canvas' claims Michael Gove
23:07 , Jacob Phillips
Michael Gove said Rishi Sunak had won a knock-out victory and left Sir Keir Starmer "flat on the canvas" in Tuesday's ITV debate.
He told reporters: "I very much enjoyed that debate. Six-nil victory."
The veteran Tory minister added: "Keir Starmer was flat on the canvas at the end of that.
"Can you tell me a single thing that Keir Starmer said that allows you to be better informed as to what he would do as prime minister? No.
"The one policy detail that he did get into, Great British Energy, he said would generate energy. No it won't.
"Ed Miliband will have had his head in his hands watching that, not just because Keir Starmer got his central mission wrong, (but) because Ed Miliband will have recognised that even he could have put in a better performance."
Prime Minister's closing statement
23:06 , Jacob Phillips
Rishi Sunak appealed to voters wavering between the Tories and Reform UK in his closing statement at the ITV debate.
The Prime Minister said: "Either Keir Starmer or I will be your prime minister and a vote for anyone else makes it more likely that it will be him."
He also told voters "you don't know what you'd get" if they chose Labour.
"We've heard a lot about change from him but change to what? Keir Starmer is asking you to hand him a blank check when he hasn't said what he'll buy with it, or how much it's going to cost you.
"In uncertain times we simply cannot afford an uncertain prime minister."
Labour left debate 'stronger than we entered it' - Pat McFadden
23:05 , Jacob Phillips
Labour's national campaign co-ordinator Pat McFadden said Labour left Tuesday night's debate "stronger than we entered it".
He told reporters: "Rishi Sunak says he's got a plan, but the plan is for more of the same. More of the same chaos over the last 14 years, more of the same economic chaos that's left us with the highest tax burden in 70 years, and more of the chaos on other fronts like the NHS.
"I think the lowest point in the debate was Rishi Sunak trying to claim success on the NHS on the basis that the plan is working. There are 7.5 million people who know that that's not true.
"So we leave this debate stronger than we entered it and working hard for every vote between now and July 4."
'Sunak lied 11 times about Labour tax plans'
23:00 , Jacob Phillips
The Labour Party has immediately called for Rishi Sunak to apologise for lying about its tax plans
Sir Keir Starmer’s party claimed the Prime Minister lied 11 times when he said Labour would put up taxes by £2,000.
The party claimed this was a “made-up figure” and said Labour would not put up income tax, national insurance or VAT if elected.
Labour also called on Mr Sunak to correct his sums about its energy policy.
Rishi Sunak said on tonight’s ITV debate: “The contrast is clear at this election, because Keir Starmer will reverse all of the changes I've made, that's going to cost everyone and you thousands of pounds and make our country less energy secure by banning North Sea energy.”
In response Ed Miliband, Labour’s Shadow Energy Secretary, said: “Truth matters in politics - Rishi Sunak got his sums wrong and should be brave enough to admit it.
“His own analysis shows his plan will cost the country more and leave our country exposed.
“The report he cites in fact confirms that only Labour has a plan to end 14 years of high energy bills under the Conservatives by investing in clean homegrown power through Great British Energy, our publicly owned energy company, to cut bills and make Britain energy independent.
“It's back to the flip chart for Rishi.”
Gove claims Sunak achieved a 'six nil victory'
22:51 , Matt Watts
Michael Gove said Rishi Sunak had won a knock-out victory and left Sir Keir Starmer “flat on the canvas” in Tuesday’s ITV debate.
He said: “I very much enjoyed that debate. Six-nil victory.”
The veteran Tory minister added: “Keir Starmer was flat on the canvas at the end of that.
“Can you tell me a single thing that Keir Starmer said that allows you to be better informed as to what he would do as prime minister? No.
“The one policy detail that he did get into, Great British Energy, he said would generate energy. No it won’t.
“Ed Miliband will have had his head in his hands watching that, not just because Keir Starmer got his central mission wrong, (but) because Ed Miliband will have recognised that even he could have put in a better performance.”
Labour hit back at Sunak tax rise claims
22:49 , Matt Watts
Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow paymaster general, said Rishi Sunak’s claims that Labour would raise taxes were “absolute garbage”.
He added: “What he was saying tonight about Labour’s plans was absolute garbage.
“The dossier he put out, based on Tory special adviser assumptions, was absolute nonsense. Indeed Nick Macpherson, the former permanent secretary of the Treasury, described it as ‘garbage in, garbage out’.
“I’ve been a Treasury special adviser, I know how to do those assumptions when it comes to spending commitments and those assumptions they put in there were frankly embarrassing.”
He denied that Sir Keir had taken too long to push back on Mr Sunak’s claims that Labour would raise tax by £2,000.
He told reporters: “He was very clear, he said it was absolute garbage.
“You’re right, Rishi Sunak, in a very tetchy way, continued to interrupt Keir so you can obviously see Rishi Sunak is under some pressure, so I’ll grant you that, he continued to interrupt time after time, but Keir said that figure from Sunak is absolute garbage, which it is.”
Keir Starmer 'asking for a blank cheque' - Tory Chairman
22:32 , Jacob Phillips
Responding to the debate Richard Holden, Conservative Party Chairman, said: "Tonight demonstrated the clear choice voters face at this election.
"Keir Starmer has no plans for our country no plan and no ideas. He’s asking for a blank cheque.
"Over and over again, Keir Starmer could not rule out £2,094 of extra taxes on working people, dragging pensioners into Labour’s Retirement Tax, taxing your work, taxing your car. You name it. Labour will tax it.
"The message is clear if you think Labour will win, start saving.
"Only Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives have a clear plan, backed by bold action, to chart a course to a more secure future for Britain."
'Country deserved better than that' say Liberal Democrats
22:25 , Jacob Phillips
Responding to tonight’s ITV debate, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats Daisy Cooper said: "The country deserved better than that.”
She added:"At least today people got to hear a groundbreaking plan from the Liberal Democrats to offer free personal care for all and finally reform social care.
“That is what the public deserves - a plan to end the cost of living crisis and save our NHS."
Prime Minister won first debate, snap poll says
22:23 , Jacob Phillips
A snap YouGov poll has fallen in favour of Rishi Sunak following his tv debate with Sir Keir Starmer.
A poll of 1,657 viewers said the Prime Minister performed better.
Some 51 per cent of viewers polled believed Mr Sunak won the debate.
Sir Keir Starmer's closing statment
22:15 , Jacob Phillips
Sir Keir Starmer said that re-electing the Tories would be like seeing "the arsonists handed back the matches".
In his closing statement at the ITV debate, the Labour leader said: "I don't offer you the gimmicks or unfunded promises that Rishi Sunak does.
"I don't pretend there's a magic wand that will fix everything overnight. Instead, I offer a practical common sense plan to change Britain."
He continued: "Imagine how you would feel waking up on July 5 to five more years of the Conservatives. Five more years of decline and division. The arsonists handed back the matches.
"Now imagine turning the page with a Labour government that rolls up its sleeves and gets on with the job that puts the country back in your service."
Final quick fire question - from Gareth 'whose on his way to Germany'
22:09 , Rachael Burford
Final question comes from England manager Gareth Southgate.
He asks what makes a good leader.
Sunak replies that he should be “bold”.
Starmer says he needs a “game plan and a good squad” and “you need a strategy for winning.”
What will parties do for young people?
21:59 , Rachael Burford
Miles, from Ilford, asks the candidates “what future can you offer” young people?
Starmer replies: “We will be houses so you don’t have to be thirty something to buy a house”.
He adds they won’t be committing to the Tory policy of national service.
Sunak gets another laugh when he says national service “will be transformational”.
He adds he will lower taxes so people can save more money to get on the property ladder.
Sunak 'most liberal PM ever' on immigration, claims Starmer
21:52 , Rachael Burford
Starmer accuses Sunak of being “the most liberal prime minister we’ve ever had on immigration”.
Asked by an audience member why either leader should be trusted to do anything about illegal immigration, Sunak said deportation flights will take off to Rwanda “in July, but only if I’m your Prime Minister”.
“Stick to our plan and illegal migrants will be on those planes – with Labour they will be out on our streets.”
Starmer hits back: “The levels of migration are at record highs – 685,000. It’s never been that high, save in the last year or two.
“The Prime Minister says it’s too high. Who’s in charge? He’s in charge. He’s the most liberal prime minister we’ve ever had on immigration.”
On to immigration...
21:49 , Rachael Burford
The first real shouting between the leaders comes as they debate immigration.
Sunak says the plan to tackle small boats crossing is working and Rwanda will be a deterrent.
He challenges Starmer on what his policy would be.
Starmer says he would smash the gangs and claims the Rwanda scheme is a gimmick.
He says if the PM was confident in his policy he would not be having the election now.
Education debate
21:40 , Rachael Burford
On schools, Sunak says education is the "most powerful way you can transform someone's life".
The government has put record investment into the sector he says.
But in response, Starmer says the prime minister is responding to questions about the "poor state" of all public services by claiming everything is going well.
The Labour leader says the UK doesn't have enough teachers and his government will recruit a further 6,500.
Labour plans to raise VAT on private schools to fund its policy.
It’s something the Tories vehemently disagree with.
Sunak says parents who work hard should have the “freedom” to send children to private school.
Blows over health policy
21:33 , Rachael Burford
Sunak points to the state of the NHS in Wales, where Labour are in power.
The Prime Minister also stresses that waiting lists have been exacerbated by doctor strikes.
He says he offered junior doctors "the most generous" pay settlement in the public sector.
And he then gets applause when he says he doesn't want to put taxes up to pay the 35% rise some medical staff want.But Starmer accuses Sunak of "blaming everybody else" for failure and says a future government needs to resolve strikes.
NHS waiting lists
21:28 , Rachael Burford
Labour’s spin team on hand with a helpful graphic on the size of NHS waiting lists...
First laugh - and groan - of the debate
21:24 , Rachael Burford
Sunak gets the first laugh from the debate audience, but it’s not for a joke,
He claims NHS “waiting lists are coming down”, which prompts scoffing from the crowd.
Latest figures show the waiting list stood at 7.54 million cases in March, consisting of approximately 6.29 million individual patients waiting for treatment.
Starmer gets a groan when he says he thought Sunak “was supposed to be good at maths”.
🚨 NEW: The audience laughs at Rishi Sunak when he says NHS waiting times are "coming down from when they were higher" #ITVDebate pic.twitter.com/w2p8B0Cf45
— Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK) June 4, 2024
Health Service "broken"
21:16 , Rachael Burford
The debate sees questions fired at Sunak and Starmer from the audience.
Janet from Telford says she is a cancer survivor and her son is a nurse.
She tells the candidates “be honest” and asks “how long” will it take to fix a “broken NHS”.
Sunak: 'Labour will raise taxes'
21:14 , Rachael Burford
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hits back claiming the Labour party will raise taxes and "raid" pension pots.
In his opening statement he says: “Beyond raising your taxes and raiding your pensions, no one knows what Labour would actually do.
"But you know what I would do? I'll cut your taxes, protect your pension and reduce immigration.
"I have a clear plan for a more secure future for you and your family."
Starmer opens debate
21:12 , Rachael Burford
Keir Starmer gets the first words of the debate in an opening statement.
He says voters have the chance to move on from the "chaos" of the Tory era.
The Labour leader said: "This election is all about a choice. More of the chaos and division we've seen for the last 14 years or turning the page and rebuilding with Labour.
"I have ambition for our country. I have a practical plan to deliver it.
"I've changed the Labour Party and put it back in the service of working people.
"Now I'm seeking your backing to change our country, to make it work once again for you and your family."
Sunak "desperate", say Labour
20:55 , Rachael Burford
Pat McFadden, Labour’s National Campaign Coordinator, speaking ahead of the ITV debate, said:
“The choice at this election is simple: Five more years of chaos with the Conservatives or change with the Labour Party.
“On July 4 the British people will have the chance to vote for change.
“To stop the chaos, turn the page and start to rebuild our country.
“Tonight, the British people will have a chance to see the choice first-hand. Between a desperate Rishi Sunak who’s scatter-gunned approach has shredded his economic credibility.
“Or Keir Starmer who has changed the Labour Party and is offering a credible plan to change Britain.”
Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer arrive for debate
20:37 , John Dunne
Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer have arrived for the much anticipated first TV debate.
The ITV debate kicks off a series of TV clashes.
Shadow cabinet members spotted ahead of debate
19:43 , Jacob Phillips
Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting and Shadow Paymaster General Jonathan Ashworth have been spotted chatting to journalists at ITV’s studios ahead of the debate, one of the broadcaster’s political reporters has said.
In the ITV spin room ahead of the first General Election debate this evening.
Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting and Shadow Paymaster General Jonathan Ashworth have already been spotted mulling around chatting with journos… pic.twitter.com/pxagwThm5B— Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe (@JasmineCC_95) June 4, 2024
Party representatives to be interviewed on ITV after Sunak-Starmer clash
19:37 , Jacob Phillips
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, Reform UK’s very recent leader Richard Tice, Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsey, and the SNP’s Stephen Flynn will be interviewed on ITV following the clash between Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer.Following the head-to-head debate ITV News has confirmed the line-up for the companion programme: The ITVElection Interviews.
The programme, presented by Anushka Asthana, will airstraight after the head-to-head at 10.10pm on ITV1, ITVX, STV, and STV Player.
Farage could send Tory campaign up in smoke?
19:29 , Jacob Phillips
Rishi Sunak’s party came under its most intense pressure so far in the election campaign on Monday.
British politics was rocked by Mr Farage’s U-turn to become Reform UK leader on Monday as he told a press conference that it “would be wrong” for him not to stand.
It will be his eighth bid to be an MP after seven previous failures.
On Tuesday Home Secretary James Cleverly unleashed a personal attack on Mr Farage as he sought to stop Right-wing voters peeling away from the Tories to Reform.Hours before the ITV debate the election campaign twisted again as Mr Farage was doused with a drink outside a pub in Essex.
Images appear to show a McDonald's banana milkshake being thrown at the Reform UK leader as he left the Moon and Starfish pub.
A 25-year-old woman has been arrested, Essex Police said.
Mr Farage, who has been the target of "milkshaking" incidents before, had earlier addressed supporters at a rally in Clacton-on-Sea after announcing he would stand for election in the constituency.
The veteran Eurosceptic had been speaking to reporters in the pub after his rally at Clacton Pier.
Welcome to our live coverage
19:19 , Jacob Phillips
Welcome to the Evening Standard’s live coverage of the first TV debate between Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.
The Prime Minister goes into the debate as the underdog following a double blow to his campaign on Monday.
The Tories face being left with zero MPs in Inner London, according to a shock poll which showed a landslide Labour victory.
The YouGov survey predicted that the Conservatives would see their number of seats in the capital plummeting from 21 to just four.
Nationally, Labour would gain 422 seats, the Conservatives would be reduced to just 140, the Liberal Democrats would get 48, the Scottish National Party 17, Plaid Cymure two and Greens two.
So Labour would get a majority of 194, bigger than Tony Blair’s of 179 in 1997.
Moments earlier Reform leader Nigel Farage announced he will try and be elected in Clacton-on-Sea in Essex.
Any success for Farage and Reform UK could spell further misery for the Prime Minister as the ex-Ukip leader looks to convince voters to turn away from the Tories.
Sir Keir visits Bolton ahead of debate
19:17 , Jacob Phillips
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer was in the constituency of Bolton North East in Greater Manchester on Tuesday ahead of the debate, where the Conservatives are defending a notional majority of 1,278.It is the second time this week Sir Keir has visited a constituency that is one of his party’s top 10 targets, following an event on Monday in Bury North (number seven on the list).Meanwhile the Prime Minister was not due to carry out any campaign visits on Tuesday.
He has visited 24 constituencies since the start of the campaign, 21 of which are being defended by the Conservatives.
