Indy TV

Sir Keir Starmer has branded Rishi Sunak a liar and claimed he had broken the ministerial code for suggesting Labour planned to hike taxes by more than £2,000.The prime minister repeatedly highlighted the allegation during his ITV head-to-head debate with Sir Keir on Tuesday (4 June), claiming “independent Treasury officials” have costed Labour’s policies “and they amount to a £2,000 tax rise for everyone”.But the Treasury’s permanent secretary, James Bowler, said ministers had been told not to suggest civil servants produced the figure at the heart of the Tory attack.Sir Keir today said: “What you saw last night was a Prime Minister with his back against the wall, desperately trying to defend 14 years of failure, resorting – and it was a flash of his character, an insight into his character – to lies. I don’t say that lightly.” More

Households across the UK on Tuesday 4 June watched Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer clash on live television in their first debate ahead of the general election.The prime minister hoped to boost his Tory party’s dismal outlook, while Labour’s leader aimed to cement his status as the favourite.Both acknowledged the country’s many problems, from fraying public services to a broken immigration system as they went head-to-head on ITV.But who do the British public think won the first TV debate? More

Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer clashed on live television on Tuesday night (4 June) in the first debate ahead of the general election.The prime minister hoped to boost his Tory party’s dismal outlook, while Labour’s leader aimed to cement his status as the favourite.Both acknowledged the country’s many problems, from fraying public services to a broken immigration system as they went head-to-head on ITV.They were also told – on multiple occasions – to keep the shouting to a minimum by presenter Julie Etchingham.Here, The Independent takes a look at the key moments from the first TV debate. More

Rishi Sunak “exploded Keir Starmer’s claim to be a credible candidate for prime minister” during Tuesday night’s debate, Michael Gove has suggested.The pair went head-to-head on ITV ahead of next month’s general election and a snap poll suggested Mr Sunak narrowly came out on top.Cabinet minister Mr Gove, however, suggested Sir Keir suffered a major defeat.“It exploded Keir Starmer’s claim to be a credible candidate for prime minister on migration, on the doctors’ strike, on tax, on the economy,” Mr Gove said of the debate.“On every single area that he was questioned on, Starmer was found wanting.” More

Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer were repeatedly scolded for shouting over each other during their first televised debate of the 2024 general election.Mediator Julie Etchingham stepped in several times as the leaders went head-to-head live on ITV on Tuesday, 4 June.The pair were told to “stop shouting over each other” as they were questioned on issues such as NHS waiting lists, taxation, and immigration.Tuesday’s debate came with just four weeks to go until the general election. More

Rishi Sunak was laughed at for saying national service would be a “great opportunity” for young people as he faced Sir Keir Starmer in during their first televised debate of the 2024 general election on Tuesday, 4 June.The Conservative Party would make it compulsory for 18-year-olds to give up the equivalent of a weekend a month for a year to do voluntary work or sign up for 12 months in the armed forces.When asked by an audience member what he would do to help young people, the prime minister described the proposals as “transformational.”The Labour leader said his party “won’t be sending you to do national service some kind of teenage Dad’s army.” More

Rishi Sunak was laughed at and booed as he blamed NHS failings on industrial action during a debate with Sir Keir Starmer on Tuesday, 4 June.The leaders were asked about NHS waiting lists as they went head-to-head on ITV in their first televised clash of the 2024 general election.Asked how long it would take to fix the “broken” health service, Mr Sunak pointed to damage done by the Covid-19 pandemic and insisted “we are now making progress: waiting lists are coming down”.He then blamed industrial action, prompting groans from the audience. More

Nigel Farage has boldly claimed that by becoming the Reform UK leader and embarking on his eighth bid to win a parliamentary seat, he will increase the general election turnout.Mr Farage launched his bid for election on Clacton pier declaring “a revolution to change British politics” but was left stunned on Tuesday (4 June) when a protester threw a milkshake in his face.In a live social media recording, posted to X on Tuesday (4 June), Mr Farage commented on the “incredible” response he received on his visit to Clacton.Mr Farage said: “I think my standing will increase the turnout, which is a good thing for democracy.” More