Mordaunt changed tack for last night’s seven-way clash on ITV. Last time, for the BBC version, viewers saw half-hearted interjections and self-pitying claims that the Tories have “hated” having to put up taxes to a 70-year record high. For this one Penny went on the full offensive. It seemed like a good idea at the time..
From repeated bickering exchanges with Angela Rayner, which made Mordaunt look like the one in opposition, to being told off by Julie Etchingham and forced to admit she was “agitated“, Mordaunt opened herself up to ridicule from the other panellists who would often say “oh dear” and “it’s just like the Commons” to sympathy from the audience. Penny pointing at all the panelists at the end while repeating “higher taxes higher taxes” put the cherry on top. More than a few people thought she was saying “hire taxis”…
It’s already being compared to her bizarre “stand up and fight” routine at party conference. Tory members are tearing the performance to shreds this morning…
The same roster is back at it again tonight for ITV‘s seven-way debate. The venue is in Salford, Manchester. Julie Etchingham and a live audience will be running affairs. The debate is running for 90 minutes…
Representatives from each party are (like last time):
Etchingham and co will be thinking of ways to make this one less sullen than its predecessor. Guido will provide live text-based updates below…
UPDATE: Proceedings have finished. Mordaunt and Rayner were the most combative with each other. This one was a little better than the last…
Sunak and Starmer will go head to head tonight in the first leaders debate of the General Election campaign, and the pressure is on Rishi to deliver. CCHQ is spiralling over Nigel’s decision to stand which will no doubt eat into the Tories’ vote share. Meanwhile, Tory candidates and HQ staff are still angry about the snap decision to call the election early. Very few were prepared…
So far, the campaign for the Tories hasn’t gone smoothly, announcing policies such as National Service and a cap on visa for migrants – though with very few details accompanying them. Starmer will be sure to attack Sunak on the lack of detail and the Tories’ track record on these issues. Rishi will likely blast Starmer for his former friends like Corbyn and LOTO’s turmoil over the Labour left purge, which ended with him conceding on letting Diane Abbott back into the fray. Starmer has Deputy Leader Angela Rayner to thank for that one…
The chatter amongst the denizens of SW1 is that Sunak needs to nail this debate if he is to have any hope of a bump in the polls and support from the party – one Tory candidate is making their decision on whether they defect to Reform based on the outcome. The hour-long debate will be hosted by Manchester’s MediaCity UK, and moderated by Julie Etchingham. Co-conspirators can watch it live at 9pm on ITV. Stay tuned to Guido for the best coverage…
It’s now confirmed. The first election head to head will take place between Sunak and Starmer on Tuesday 4th June on ITV. The debate should kick off at 8:00 – 8:30 p.m. If it was up to Sunak they’d be going at it every week…
UPDATE: One-hour long debate confirmed for 9:00 p.m.
Sunak said “book your holiday” this summer speaking on Loose Women today after being pushed on when the election will be held. It’s strongest hint yet that there won’t be an election until after October. He also said he won’t be jetting off to the States if he loses – he’ll stay on as an MP. As Guido told you yesterday, SpAds and PAds across Westminster are already packing their bags…
Viewers of Mr Bates vs The Post Office, the new ITV drama about the Horizon scandal, have spotted that Nadhim Zahawi is playing himself as he questions Post Office CEO Paula Vennels. Zahawi’s performance comes in the third episode as the Commons business committee questions the Post Office on the Horizon system. Some frank and robust acting on display…
Nadhim tells Guido:
“I was gratified to have been given the opportunity the appear in Mr Bates vs The Post Office, just as I am glad to have grilled the former post office CEO in 2015. The team at ITV have done vital work in increasing the public consciousness of one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in recent British history- and I would encourage everyone to watch it“.
This comes as Ed Davey “regrets not doing more” when serving as minister for postal affairs during the scandal. Zahawi acted for free and told executives to give any cash they would have slid his way to charity. Actors will be terrified of losing out on roles as politicians to the politicians themselves…
