In the last televised debate on Wednesday night of this UK election campaign, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the Conservative party found himself locked in a battle against his probable successor, Keir Starmer from Labour. With his party lagging significantly behind Labour, Sunak adopted a confrontational, noisy, and vibrant tactic, shining arguably his best performance of the campaign. However, it may have been a case of too little, too late, given the upcoming vote on Thursday.
It’s likely his goal might not even have been to unseat Labour. Seemingly, Sunak anticipates defeat given the last week’s Conservative strategy of underlining the potential risks of Labour achieving an overwhelming majority. His efforts may have primarily been aimed at persuading disgruntled Conservative followers to support his party, as opposed to endorsing Nigel Farage’s hyper-conservative Reform UK, thereby saving the Conservatives from losing even more marginal seats.
The debate at Nottingham Trent University was set amidst a boisterous Gaza protest. The leaders of the party were greeted with bells and roars, setting the stage for an impassioned debate. Surprisingly, it was Starmer who initiated the offensive, mocking Sunak for his wavering response to the MP betting scandal overshadowing the campaign’s latter half. Initial audience applauds were directed towards the Labour leader.
However, Starmer was increasingly cornered by Sunak’s incessant criticism. He consistently drew attention to the threat of a potential tax hike under Labour, while accusing Starmer of offering no plans for immigration cutbacks. Sunak warned spectators, “You don’t know what Keir Starmer you’re going to get.”
Some of Sunak’s assaults did make Starmer defensive, yet at other times, it only emphasised a more controlled style from the Labour leader, possibly making him seem more fitting for the Prime Minister role the current PM has held for nearly two years.
As the protests quietened down, Starmer regained his footing in the debate. For instance, a discussion concerning the balance between transgender rights and women’s protection saw him appearing more considerate and humane than Sunak.
Sunak’s assertive strategy may not have resonated with a good number of undecided voters, but it likely found some favour with a group of Tory voters intrigued by Farage’s audacious campaign. Concurrently, Starmer would have been relieved to come out of it unscathed. Each party leader had something to take solace in, though for one, this consolation won’t be long-lived.