Reader verdict: ‘Sunak – you were in a position to do something about immigration but you didn’t’
Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer made their impassioned cases for leading the country at the Sky News election programme on Wednesday, hosted by presenter Beth Rigby.
Following their interviews, Labour MP Tom Harris argued that Sir Keir treated the Sky News political editor with ‘a degree of discourtesy’. Whereas Telegraph columnist Tim Stanley, having observed the audience apathy, felt the Prime Minister ‘might as well give up’.
Telegraph readers were also eager to give their verdict. A Telegraph poll revealed that 68 per cent of the over 40,000 votes cast believed Mr Sunak came out on top.
‘Did Starmer give a single straight answer? If he did I must have missed it’
Many readers felt Sir Keir crumbled under the pressure of hard questioning from Ms Rigby. Reader John Robinson enjoyed the spectacle: “I nearly didn’t watch, as I’m not a fan of Rigby, but she is making him look a fool.”
Reader Marc Standing echoed this sentiment, arguing: “For someone who I keep being told has this amazingly sharp mind he really is a terrible speaker under pressure.”
While reader Anthony Smith highlighted how Sir Keir avoided giving any substantial policy details. He said: “Did Starmer give a single straight answer? If he did I must have missed it. 45 mins of pre-rehearsed sound bites.”
Similarly, Michael Wallis voiced: “Starmer refused to answer many direct questions about tax whereas Rishi directly answered all questions.”
David Walker picked up on who Sir Keir said he would not tax, raising the opposite question of who the party will tax. He said: “What does he mean by no tax rises for working people? That worries me, are they planning to hit pensioners and students? They are already applying tax to education so maybe university fees? Rich bankers are working people? This needs probing more because it’s typical Starmer slippery weasel words. You can’t trust what this man says.”
Despite Sir Keir’s floundering TV performance, reader Brian Hunter doubts it will damage his prime ministerial campaign: “Starmer is struggling, but he will still walk it as the Tory party have handed him the next election.”
‘Sunak has the look of defeat in his eyes’
While the Telegraph poll shows a majority in favour of Mr Sunak’s performance, many remain unimpressed with the Prime Minister, particularly on the topic of immigration.
Reader Roger Boyd for instance said: “‘Immigration numbers were too high,’ says Sunak. You were in a position to do something about it, but you didn’t – hypocrite.”
Reader P Cartwright echoed a similar sentiment. “Sunak ‘understands’ unhappiness at mass immigration, and yet he fully supported it. All those visas weren’t issued in a fit of absentmindedness,” they said.
Reader James Bulloch weighed in: “Sunak has the look of defeat in his eyes. I think I might ask for the odds on a combined wager. Put £50 on the Tories having fewer than 130 seats, and the next leader of the Tory party to be a woman: Kemi Badenoch or Penny Mordaunt.”
Despite this, some of Mr Sunak’s supporters remained steadfast. Reader Robert Miller-Bridge shared: “As a young person, I agree with Mr Sunak about the manifesto benefiting everyone, as it should be. People like me need to be able to get on the housing ladder and people like my grandparents deserve to enjoy their retirement and their pensions!”
‘The Tories have lurched too far Left. Nothing separates them from Labour’
Overall, readers thought Ms Rigby did a great job and that the debate was well-hosted.
Reader W O Curlier summarised: “Probably the best of the three TV debates so far. Mainly because of the audience question sections, which were surprisingly good.”
Readers also reflected on the future of the general election, with many not convinced by either party leader.
Reader Christopher Pike said: “It’s simple, the Tories have lurched too far Left. There is now basically nothing separating them from Labour. Time to vote for our convictions, if that means five years of Lefty rule then so be it.”
For many Telegraph readers, this means voting for Reform UK, headed by Nigel Farage. Reader Jane Mitchell voiced: “I know so many more people preparing to vote Reform more than any other party! I’m a business owner, my area is prosperous and all we want is the restoration of this democratic country!”
