The first direct debate on Monday (25) between Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss, candidates for the UK’s prime minister, was marked by attacks on economic policies, mentions of China and questions about the role of Boris Johnson, who announced his resignation from the position at the beginning of the month, in the new term.
Amid reports that Boris has not ruled out a political comeback, despite promising to step down as prime minister when the winner is determined, candidates have ruled out a new government post for him that they can take.
“I’m sure he [Boris] will be vocal, but will not be part of the government”, said Truss in a debate organized by the British broadcaster BBC. resignation and claimed that he had not ceased to be loyal for what he called “abandonment of duty” if he lacked support.
Sunak, a former finance minister and one of the senior members of the Boris administration to step down at the time of the crisis, praised Johnson as “remarkable” but said he had reached “the point of enough”. “I thought the behavior [de Johnson] was not correct and we clearly had different views on the economy”.
The highest inflation in 40 years in the UK has spurred fierce economic debates. Sunak said that the opponent’s proposals are not conservative, indicating what would be a contradiction since Truss is called by supporters “the new iron lady”, in reference to former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who adopted liberal policies during your government.
He also criticized the reduction of the tax burden, one of Truss’ central proposals, saying that the measure is only designed for the short term. The Foreign Secretary countered by pointing to the adversary as responsible for raising taxes to the highest level in 70 years. “If we follow Rishi’s plans, we are heading for a recession.”
Asked for a tougher stance on China, Truss said recent months had called for closer bilateral and economic ties. Even before the clash, the two candidates had already exchanged barbs about Beijing. Sunak said over the weekend that the opponent had “rolled out the red carpet for too long” and ignored what would be “malevolent activities” by the Chinese regime. And she said she believes the Asian country poses “the biggest long-term threat” to the UK.
This was the first of three debates in just 12 days that will be broadcast on television. In recent days, Truss has been at the forefront of polls among members of the Conservative Party, who will vote for leader of the party and, by table, the new prime minister or new prime minister.
The winner will be chosen by the approximately 200,000 party members in a mail-in vote that will remain open until September 2. The result should be released three days later.
Whoever takes up the post will have to deal with soaring inflation and low economic growth in the United Kingdom, as well as the lack of confidence of the British in politics after Boris’ period in power, marked by a succession of crises.
