Speaking in separate interviews hosted by the Sun newspaper that included questions from a watching audience, Rishi Sunak and Starmer underwent at times difficult interrogations, including over migration and the NHS.
Both party leaders were quick to dismiss the records of their predecessors. Rishi Sunak said Liz Truss's economic policy was badly mistaken, and a Starmer-led government would create similar fiscal instability.
Starmer meanwhile gave his fullest answer yet as to why he had endorsed Corbyn in the 2019 election when he did not believe in him, and why he did not quit to serve on the backbenches as some colleagues had.
"Everybody then took a decision about what they did, how we dealt with this," he said. "I felt that on issues such as Brexit, which I thought were going to define us for decades to come, leaders are temporary, but political parties are permanent, but it was important to have a voice in the shadow cabinet.
Esta historia es de la edición June 25, 2024 de The Guardian.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición June 25, 2024 de The Guardian.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
'I constantly just think what if I didn't get Covid?'
Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles on the Paris ups and downs that earneda key rolein thenewseries of Sprint
'adultification' Watchdog calls for of black children by police to end
The police watchdog for England and Wales has called for urgent measures to stop the \"adultification\" of black children by officers, but campaigners have said the revised guidelines do not go far enough.
Plan to halt arms aid
Donald Trump's plan to tap the retired US Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg as US envoy to Ukraine and Russia has triggered renewed interest in a policy document he co-authored that proposes ending the war by withdrawing weapons from Ukraine if it does not enter peace talks - and giving even more weapons to Ukraine if Russia does not do the same.
Liverpool fear loss of Konaté and Bradley for City clash
Liverpool could be without the defenders Ibrahima Konaté and Conor Bradley when Manchester City visit on Sunday, with Arne Slot admitting the early signs on the injuries they sustained against Real Madrid are not good.
'Worst experience of my life' Swiatek's positive test leads to one-month ban from tennis
Iga Swiatek, the women's tennis world No 2, has received a one-month ban after testing positive for the banned substance trimetazidine (TMZ) in August.
Hummels ruins Spurs' night with late leveller to delight Ranieri
Tottenham could have no complaints about dropping more points in the Europa League.
Nkunku and Mudryk keep Chelsea flying
Chelsea moved to within one win of the Conference League last 16 with victory in Heidenheim to maintain their perfect start in the competition.
Højlund doubles up to secure Amorim's maiden win after first-half scare
Ruben Amorim received a rapturous welcome from the Old Trafford congregation, then oversaw a helter-skelter victory in his first home as Manchester United's sixth No 1 of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
Moshiri pledge over £451m loan if Everton sale drags on
Farhad Moshiri has agreed to convert his £451m loan to Everton into shares if the club have not been sold by the time new Premier League regulations on shareholder loans come into force.
Lampard out to prove critics wrong with Coventry return
Former Chelsea manager was 'outstanding candidate' says club's chairman
