Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer faced tough questioning from the audience at Grimsby Town Hall as part of Sky News’ TV election programme.
Keir Starmer has defended his support for Jeremy Corbyn in the 2019 general election, saying he knew Labour would lose.
And when asked about plans to scrap VAT concessions for private schools, the Labour leader said he wanted to tackle the under-resourced nature of state schools.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak acknowledged that tax and immigration levels were “too high” and said he understood public frustration with the government.
- author, Kate Whannell
- role, Political reporter
He also apologised for leaving early to mark the anniversary of the Normandy landings and for breaking coronavirus rules within his government.
Addressing disgruntled former Conservative activists who described the government as “ashamed”, Sunak said he was trying to restore trust through his own actions and “making progress on the things that matter to people” such as economic stability.
When asked for a fact about himself that would make people “like him more”, he said he has a “terrible diet” which includes Haribo sweets and Twix.
The Prime Minister faced further hostile heckling from the audience, particularly when speaking about NHS waiting lists.
Sir Keir also faced some difficult moments, notably when an audience member complained that he had not answered questions and likened the Labour leader to a “political robot”.
After a brief silence and laughter from the audience, Sir Keir spoke about his previous roles working for the police in Northern Ireland and the Crown Prosecution Service, saying “trying to serve the public has been a constant theme in my life”.
He was repeatedly asked why he now despises the former party leader, given that he supported Jeremy Corbyn in the 2019 general election.
Sir Keir said he was “certain to lose the 2019 general election” and that he campaigned for Labour because he wanted his “good colleagues” to hold on to their seats.
Asked why he had changed his policy stance since taking over from Corbyn, Sir Keir said: “When you suffer such a crushing defeat, instead of looking to the electorate and asking ‘what on earth have you been doing’ you look to your party and say ‘we have to change’.”
One audience member told Sir Keir he feared he would no longer be able to go to private school because of Labour’s plans to scrap VAT credits.
The Labour leader said he was not opposed to private schools and recognised parents “work hard and save hard” to send their children there.
But, he added, “all parents have hopes for their children, whether they go to private school or not.”
He said the funds raised through the private schools policy would help in recruiting 6,500 teachers for public secondary schools.
When asked what he fears most about the possibility of becoming prime minister, the Labour leader spoke of his concerns about how it would affect his teenage children.
He said it was “the only thing that keeps me up at night.”
The two leaders were subjected to 20 minutes of tough questioning by Sky News presenter Beth Rigby, followed by a further 20 minutes of questions from the audience.
Asked about past promises by senior Conservative leaders to reduce net immigration, Mr Sunak said he understood “public scepticism” but insisted steps had been taken to reduce immigration.
He pointed to a crackdown on the abuse of social welfare visas and an increase in the salary required to qualify for a work visa, saying the figures were now “heading in the right direction”.
On the economy, the chancellor said he knew the situation was “not easy” but he had taken steps to make it “a little easier” by trying to keep inflation under control.
One audience member accused Mr Sunak of “alienating” the party from young people, citing the Prime Minister’s proposal to introduce NHS service.
Mr Sunak said National Service would be “transformative” for young people, adding that he was “really excited” that his daughters would be taking part in it.
