SARAH VINE's debate verdict: Etchingham was flawless as host. But Rishi, with real fire in his belly, won the day By Sarah Vine for the Daily Mail Published: 22:37, 4 June 2024 | Updated: 06:58, 5 June 2024 e-mail 128 View comments Standing at two luminous lecterns, against a backdrop that looked like something out of The Matrix, the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour pretender Keir Starmer squared up for the first live debate of this election. Both suited and booted, both men’s thick heads of hair slickly parted in the same direction, Sunak’s increasingly streaked with grey.
The atmosphere sombre and business-like. Thank God for Julie Etchingham’s tough-but-feminine pink trouser-suit. Starmer first, that now familiar nasal twang: ‘Change, me, plan.
’ Sunak: ‘Security, me, plan.’ The audience looked stern. TV spotlight: Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer with ITV’s Julie Etchingham Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had fire in his belly First question: cost of living .
Paula painting a bleak picture of her financial difficulties. Sunak on familiar territory, setting out his record: my plan is working, taxes would go up by £2,000 for every person under Labour. Starmer’s response more emotional, reaching out to the audience, empathising, challenging the Conservative record.
Sunak bullish – pushing his agenda firmly, perhaps a little too firmly. Reminding us all about furlough, underlining his part in helping people. Yes, Etchingham counters, but what are you goi.
