Penny Mordaunt slams ‘slander’ against her Tory leadership campaign
Conservative rivals go head-to-head in the second live debate itv this evening when she applied to be the new prime minister.
After eleven candidates announced applications for the leadership, only five remain: Kemi Badenoch, Penny Mordaunt, Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss and Tom Tugendhat.
The hour-long debate in the Tory lead race is at ITV’s White City Studios, which all five contestants attend.
The debate comes as Ms Mordaunt admitted today her tax cut plans will result in increased public debt and has ‘slandered’ her leadership campaign.
She denied claims she has ever pursued a self-identification policy for trans people attempting to legally change their gender.
Ms Mordaunt also said her proposals to halve VAT on petrol and raise tax thresholds were a “modest” set of changes to help people struggling with the rising cost of living.
“We need to show that there is immediate targeted support for people. We would have to adjust our tax projections, but I think that’s absolutely necessary,” she told the BBC’s Sunday Morning programme.
No buyers for Boris Johnson in the new cabinet
The ITV presenter asked candidates to raise their hands if any of them would have Boris Johnson in their cabinet.
Not a single candidate raised their hand.
The topic will be discussed further after the break.
Maryam Zakir-HussainJuly 17, 2022 7:21 p.m
Candidates talk about unions and strikes
Regarding unions and strikes, Tugendhat says: “The key to strikes is trust. When the people trust the government and know the government is on their side, the absolute key to choosing a prime minister is someone the people can trust.”
Badenoch says: “We have to work better with the unions, we have to show them respect.”
Maryam Zakir-HussainJuly 17, 2022 7:19 p.m
Mordaunt says the government needs to be more responsive to people who are struggling
Penny Mordaunt says her background and experiences make her more understanding of people struggling in the economic downturn.
She said: “It’s incredibly difficult when you can’t afford the bus ticket, when you can’t afford a washing machine.
“We need to make that easier for people, we need to be more responsive.”
(ITV)
Maryam Zakir-HussainJuly 17, 2022 7:15 p.m
Sunak presents a three-stage growth plan
Rishi Sunak presents his three-step growth plan. He says: “This involves three things: investment, innovation and education.
“The education of our children today is our economy of tomorrow.”
(ITV)
Maryam Zakir-HussainJuly 17, 2022 7:13 p.m
“This is not about an immediate solution” – Tugendhat
Regarding the economic crisis, Tom Tugendhat says: “We see chaos abroad, we see chaos in Russia. This isn’t just about an instant fix.
“It’s about defending the Conservative record and we’re trying to help families so they can grow their economies.”
(ITV)
Maryam Zakir-HussainJuly 17, 2022 7:11 p.m
The candidates explain why they should be PM
The Tory leadership candidates set out why they believed they should become Prime Minister at the start of the ITV debate.
Former Chancellor Rishi Sunak told viewers: “I will be your next Prime Minister because the potential of Britain is limitless and I am the best person to lead us into the future.”
Liz Truss said: “I want to unleash the potential of Britain. I have shown I can deliver as Foreign Secretary, now I am ready to lead as your Prime Minister.”
Former Minister Kemi Badenoch said: “I am the candidate who will tell you the truth. I’m running because things need to change and I will make our country better.”
Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Tom Tugendhat said: “We know things have been difficult and we need a clean start, we have problems abroad and at home. It’s time for a change, I’m ready to serve, I’m ready to lead.”
Trade Secretary Penny Mordaunt said: “My life revolves around service”.
Maryam Zakir-HussainJuly 17, 2022 7:08 p.m
Truss criticizes Sunak’s economic policies
Liz Truss criticizes Rishi Sunak’s economic policies: “You have raised taxes to the highest level in 70 years. That will not boost economic growth. The fact that taxes are being raised at this moment will stifle economic growth.”
“We have to realize that we’ve just gone through a century pandemic – everyone realizes that we would have to pay that back,” Rishi Sunak says in response to Truss’s criticism.
Maryam Zakir-HussainJuly 17, 2022 7:07 p.m
Kemi Banedoch says inflation is the reason the cost of living is rising. She says fighting inflation will be the first thing she would do as Prime Minister.
Rishi Sunak also said his top priority is fighting inflation.
Maryam Zakir-HussainJuly 17, 2022 7:05 p.m
Cost of living crisis – first question
The first question in the debate concerns the cost of living. The candidates are asked how they will alleviate the cost of living crisis.
Maryam Zakir-HussainJuly 17, 2022 7:03 p.m
