With just over a week left until Britain goes to the polls, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Keir Starmer faced off in their final televised debate. The confrontation saw the two contenders clash repeatedly over their competing visions on major issues like the economy, healthcare and law and order.
Starmer launched fierce critiques of the Tory government's record, pointing to ballooning inflation, NHS staff shortages and rising crime rates under their watch. He accused Sunak of overseeing a “cost of living crisis” and implementing austerity cuts that were hurting ordinary people. The Labour leader promised tax reforms for businesses, public sector pay increases and police hires to tackle these challenges.
However, Sunak dismissed these attacks, arguing that Labour had no credible plan to remedy current problems or stimulate economic growth. He highlighted Starmer's past voting record in favour of tax increases and claimed Labour would bankrupt the country. The Prime Minister defended the Conservatives' record of low unemployment and pledged to cut taxes once inflation was under control. He called for patience and warned of further hardship if the opposition came to power.
On immigration, Starmer advocated reforming the asylum system and providing more safe and legal routes, while assuring voters that overall numbers would be controlled. But Sunak insisted his government was getting immigration under control through deporting those with no right to be in Britain and tackling people smuggling gangs.
Over the hour-long debate, neither leader landed a knockout blow as they exchanged heated accusations. With most polls showing a tight national race, the showdown is unlikely to have shifted votes significantly. But it offered each contender a high-profile platform to make their closing arguments and portray themselves as the right choice when Britain decides on December 12th.
