But it looks as though the civil service and the government, the department, decided to do it anyway. 'Because either Penny did agree with self-ID and is now saying that she didn’t. I don’t think she really answered those particularly well in the debate on Friday. He said: 'I just think it’s a very, very difficult issue with some very, very entrenched views on both sides, and needs to be handled sensitively. Kemi Badenoch's campaign has stepped up attacks on Penny Mordaunt over her position and record on transgender rights and self ID.Įarlier today, Lee Rowley, MP for North East Derbyshire and Ms Badenoch's campaign manager, told Sky News that Ms Mordaunt hadn't answered the questions surrounding the issue at Channel 4's debate on Friday 'particularly well'. That's all from me for today, one of my colleagues will be along shortly to bring you the latest Tory leadership race updates leading up to and during tonight's debate. It is now entirely possible that she could end up in the final runoff.Īllies of the candidates have ramped up attacks on one another with Deputy PM Dominic Raab slamming Liz Truss's record at the treasury and the right of the party increasingly pulling together against Penny Mordaunt.Īs Mr McCaffery says, it would be 'foolhardy' to put all of your money on one candidate at this point in the race. Liz Truss has taken a 'bit of a stumble' in the polls following last weeks debate.Ī new poll out today shows the Kemi Badenoch has gained some momentum and could capitalise on that tonight. GB News Political Editor Darren McCaffrey has said that the Tory leadership race was 'entirely unpredictable' as polls shift leading up to tonight's ITV debate.Īlthough Rishi Sunak seems to have cemented his lead, Penny Mordaunt is still favoured by the betting shops. A future that is strong, bright, secure, with a thriving economy, that's what I'm about.' That's why so many people want to come here and we need to make sure that we keep it so. 'The United Kingdom is a beacon of shining light in the world. It is vitally important we create a strong United Kingdom that is confident in itself. I have three children and I want the very best future for them. 'I'm doing this not for myself but for the future. We need to reject the voices of decline and as Conservatives we need to stop apologising for who we are.' I've shown what I can do on Brexit, on trade, and on Ukraine.

'I can hit the ground running at No 10 driving economic growth by cutting taxes and delivering tough reform.

We only have two years to show the British people we can deliver. Liz Truss: 'The next election is going to be about the economy. Truss said she can 'hit the ground running'. We can do it, I'm ready to serve, I'm ready to lead' We're all asking the right questions but the real answer is we need a clean start. 'The Government I'm afraid has led to a lack of trust and collapse in that confidence. Tugendhat went next, saying: 'This evening hasn't actually been about us, it's been about you and who you need as our next Conservative prime minister. Only one of us has a plan to that and that's me.' 'Our model of political leadership is broken. I know you've got serious concerns and these are really uncertain times. I wish tonight had been a little less about us and a lot more about you. Penny Mordaunt said: 'If you're still watching this debate well done. 'My parents worked hard to give me a better future and that's what I would do for your children and grandchildren as prime minister.' Do we confront the challenges we face with honesty and responsibility or not? I'm standing because I believe I'm the only candidate who can take the fight to Labour at the next general election. THE FIVE candidates each ended the debate with closing statements.

Penny Mordaunt and Kemi Badenoch clashed on trans rights, while Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak hurled thinly-veiled insults at one another. In contrast to the live audience debate on Friday, Sunday night's head-to-head saw all candidates more eager to go for the jugular, with accusations of 'toxic politics' and personal barbs frequent.

The Tory leadership hopefuls all sought to present themselves as the trustworthy candidate, with promises of a fresh start to a political party mired in scandals and public mistrust. So who do you think won the debate? Vote in our poll.Ĭhaired by ITV's Julie Etchingham, the debate saw Rishi Sunak, Penny Mordant, Liz Truss, Kemi Badenoch and Tom Tugendhat distance themselves from outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson, with none of the candidates willing to promise the embattled leader a role in Cabinet. The five remaining candidates in the race to take on the job of Conservative leader and Britain's next Prime Minister went head to head on Sunday night in a blistering debate that saw the leadership hopefuls clash over issues including the cost of living crisis and Brexit.

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