Sunak and Starmer’s head-to-head debate was the PMQs re-run nobody asked for – 45 favourite reactions
The first of nine televised debates has taken place, ahead of the UK general election on the 4th of July, with just Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer facing each other, as they answered questions set by the public.
Both men made opening statements, with absolutely no surprises in their content.
Clear Plan. Bold Action. Secure Future.
My opening statement at tonight’s #ITVDebate pic.twitter.com/r0s30bNGRx
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) June 4, 2024
I’ve changed the Labour Party and put it back in the service of working people.
Now, I want to change Britain, to make it work once again for you and your family.#ITVDebate pic.twitter.com/LCzbwHgRs1
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 4, 2024
Host Julie Etchingham posed questions on all the topics you’d expect, suggested by the studio audience and the public. Amongst other things, they included –
Struggling with the cost of living.
woman: i can't afford to live
man worth £700m: i know how you feel
— Michael Spicer (@MrMichaelSpicer) June 4, 2024
The broken NHS.
Sunak blames industrial action for the high waiting lists. OK, so what exactly caused the industrial action then? pic.twitter.com/IkBx6I20KX
— Jonathan Pie (@JonathanPieNews) June 4, 2024
What they would do about immigration.
So depressing to see Starmer & Sunak seeking to out-compete with each other to be as inhumane as possible to some of the most vulnerable people in the world. Note to Sunak: seeking asylum is NOT an illegal act #ITVDebate
— Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) June 4, 2024
The format, demanding 45-second responses, resulted in frustration for all concerned, a lot of shouting over one another, and an increasingly irritated Julie Etchingham.
Time for Julie Etchingham to tell Sunak to shut up #ITVDebate
— Carol Vorderman (@carolvorders) June 4, 2024
Here are some of the comments that caught our eye.
1.
Rishi just said he had a clear plan, I’m sold #ITVDebate
— Rosie Holt (@RosieisaHolt) June 4, 2024
2.
People playing the Starmer’s mum was a nurse, his dad a toolmaker drinking game are in for a punishing evening#itvdebate
— Frankie Boyle Updates (@frankieboyle) June 4, 2024
3.
“OK Rishi, we will be starting with an opening link, both you and Keir in the background. Just give us a nice, natural look to the camera”. #ITVDebate pic.twitter.com/lr3PnToakJ
— Rich Williams (@itsrichwilliams) June 4, 2024
4.
And with two votes Rishi, you are the weakest link, goodbye pic.twitter.com/yc0iTxSuSq
— HappyToast★ (@IamHappyToast) June 4, 2024
5.
Sunak is vile in this #ITVDebate
Goading, irritable and dishonest in his boasts and accusations. Preening about furlough. Blaming others for his failure. Grim about immigration. Literally standing in the wreckage of all he’s broken shouting about how he should get another go.— sarah murphy (@13sarahmurphy) June 4, 2024
6.
respect to Julie Etchingham for asking questions then realising halfway through that she actually doesn't care about the answer, personally find that very relatable
— Marie Le Conte (@youngvulgarian) June 4, 2024
7.
Everyone arriving on Twitter for the start of the debate. #ITVDebate pic.twitter.com/Y3NPtF0NyJ
— MK200034 (@MN456782) June 4, 2024
8.
Britain has a choice between two men who both have combovers without even being bald.
— Hugo Rifkind (@hugorifkind) June 4, 2024
9.
"On the Fourth of July choose lower immigration and lower taxes," says Rishi Sunak, who has raised both immigration and taxes to record highs
— Adam Bienkov (@AdamBienkov) June 4, 2024
10.
This episode of The Chase looks pish #ITVDebate
— Mhairi Black ️ (@MhairiBlack) June 4, 2024
11.
I once said on TV that 7.5m is less than 7.2m. #ITVDebate pic.twitter.com/FBdQBHg2Tq
— Gary Riches (@RichesGary) June 4, 2024
12.
Let me moderate the debates. Just me, the candidates and a massive fucking taser for when they talk over each other.
— Adam Kay (@amateuradam) June 4, 2024
13.
Vote Binface and I will put up Rishi's taxes by two million pounds. #ITVdebate
— Count Binface (@CountBinface) June 4, 2024
14.
The audience are laughing at me. That's a good sign, right? #ITVDebate
— Parody Rishi Sunak (@Parody_PM) June 4, 2024
15.
I’m not sure the format of this #ITVdebate is right they should have done some physical challenges like dribbling round some football cones or opening an umbrella
— dave ❄️ (@mrdavemacleod) June 4, 2024
16.
“You saw what I did during the pandemic” pic.twitter.com/89TJiDpq2j
— John Rain (@ItsJohnRain) June 4, 2024
17.
The Rishi Sunak can you let someone else speak challenge #itvdebate
— Toby Earle Threads tobyontv (@TobyonTV) June 4, 2024
18.
Sunak after being reminded that there’s been a Conservative government for the last 14 years. pic.twitter.com/U5Caykl9ps
— PoliticsJOE (@PoliticsJOE_UK) June 4, 2024
19.
Guys, not getting much traction for my live tweet-along of 'Into The Amazon With Robson Green' on Five.
— Richard Osman (@richardosman) June 4, 2024
20.
I used to love Max Headroom. pic.twitter.com/Naftfk9aX6
— christhebarker (@christhebarker) June 4, 2024
21.
I fancy my chances against either of them. #ITVdebate
— Count Binface (@CountBinface) June 4, 2024
22.
Starmer is hardly a vortex of charm but Sunak is a chippy little fucker, isn’t he? He speaks to people like they’re his cleaner and they just asked for a day off to go to a funeral.
— Nick Pettigrew (@Nick_Pettigrew) June 4, 2024
23.
Bet Sunak was a nightmare at debating club at Winchester
— Liam Thorp (@LiamThorpECHO) June 4, 2024
